BARCELONA, Spain — Record-chasing Lionel Messi and Neymar scored as Spanish league leader Barcelona eased to a 2-0 win at nine-man Rayo Vallecano Saturday.



Messi chipped goalkeeper Antonio “Tono” Rodriguez in the 35th minute for his 249th league goal, leaving him two behind the all-time scoring record held by Telmo Zarra since 1955.



A minute later Neymar added his seventh league goal in as many rounds. Rayo finished two men down after Jorge Morcillo and Javier Aquino received their second bookings in the second half.



While Messi will have to wait for his own landmark, Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo broke a league record that had stood since 1977 for not conceding a goal through the first seven rounds.



Bravo, who joined from Real Sociedad in the close season, surpassed the previous best of 560 minutes set by former Barca and Sociedad keeper Pedro Maria Artola in the 1977-78 season.



The Chilean produced a superb save in the ninth minute in Madrid when he leapt to his right to deny Rayo’s Alberto Bueno.



Valencia earlier stunned Atletico Madrid with three goals in the first 13 minutes before holding on to win 3-1.



Miranda’s own goal put Valencia on its way in the sixth minute. Midfielder Andre Gomes scored a second goal just one minute later, before Nicolas Otamendi headed in a third.



Atletico striker Mario Mandzukic pulled one back for the visitors in the 29th, and Siqueira had a chance to score a second just before halftime, only for goalkeeper Diego Alves to save his penalty kick. — Agencies