Real Sociedad 1-6 Barcelona: 5 talking points as Blaugrana run riot at Anoeta | La Liga 2020-21 

#3 Perfect gift for Barcelona's birthday boys

Barcelona had three celebrants

Barcelona had three different birthday celebrations on Sunday, with Jordi Alba marking his 32nd birthday, while Antoine Griezmann turned 30 and Ronald Koeman turned 58.

All three men will be very pleased with what was a perfect birthday gift, as the two players got in on the action.

Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring with what was his second goal in as many matches and his eighth league goal of the season, while Jordi Alba contributed two assists.

Ronald Koeman's side have hit top form at the right time, while his new three-man defense has proved to be the catalyst for his side's recent resurgence. His decision to play Dembele as the focal point of attack proved to be a masterstroke.

#2 Sergino Dest at the double

Dest became the first American to score a La Liga brace

Sergino Dest has been one of the revelations of the season having joined Barcelona from Ajax last summer.

The United States international broke his duck for the Blaugrana with a smart finish in first half injury time and was in the right place at the right time to score his brace eight minutes into the second half.

❝𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑭𝑬𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑺 𝑨𝑴𝑨𝒁𝑰𝑵𝑮❞ — @sergino_dest after he became the first 🇺🇸 player to score a brace in the history of @LaLigaEN pic.twitter.com/cmyoJ5iB7W

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 21, 2021

Beyond the brace, it was an all-round brilliant performance from the 20-year-old, as he became the first American to score a brace in La Liga.

He will now turn his attention to making a mark on the international scene with the USMNT.

#1 Lionel Messi puts out another brilliant display on milestone appearance

Messi became Barcelona's record appearance maker

Lionel Messi made his 768th appearance in a Barcelona shirt against Real Sociedad and this saw him overtake the iconic Xavi Hernandez as the player with the most official appearances in the club's history.

As expected, he marked the milestone appearance with two goals and an assist, which took him further clear of Luis Suarez in the race for the Pichichi award.

Just call him Recordman. #Messi768 #Messihttps://t.co/HJTWgjRCSk

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 21, 2021

The 33-year-old started as the brightest spark for Barcelona and was involved in their best attacking plays in the early stages.

He was at the heart of the opening goal, as it was his telepathic pass to Jordi Alba that allowed the Spain international to set the first goal in motion.

Messi got his assist a few minutes later when he teed up Sergino Dest to score his first goal for Barcelona.

Two second-half goals took the Argentina international to 23 La Liga goals for the season and with their skipper in this form, fans of the Blaugrana will fancy their side's chances of usurping Atletico at the summit of the table.