MADRID, Oct 5. (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona confirmed Sunday they are title contenders as they humiliated Atletico Madrid 6-1 in the Camp Nou Stadium in the Spanish Primera Liga. A magnificent first half saw the side coached by Pep Guardiola go 5-1 up by halftime in a match that was almost over as a contest by the ninth minute.

Rafael Marquez gave them the lead with a header from a corner after three minutes before Samuel Eto'o doubled their advantage from the penalty spot two minutes later.

Atletico were three down after nine minutes as Leo Messi scored from a quickly taken free kick as the visitors were organising a defensive wall. Atletico pulled one back before Eto'o made it 4-1 and Eidur Gudjohnsen scored a fifth.

Barcelona's players celebrates Lionel Messi's goal against Atletico de Madrid during their Spanish first division soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, October 4, 2008.

Thierry Henry scored a sixth goal for Barca in the second half.

Villarreal got the weekend off to a start by coming back from a goal down to beat Betis 2-1. Damia had given Betis a first half lead and the visitors missed several chances before two goals in two minutes from Gonzalo and Joseba Llorente turned the match around.

The win saw Villarreal spend Saturday night as league leaders. But Valencia's 1-0 win in Valladolid took them back to the top of the table on Sunday night.

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