Lionel Messi scored a goal, provided two more and missed a penalty as Barcelona eased to a 5-0 demolition of Levante to maintain its perfect start to the La Liga season on Sunday.
The Argentine ace first put Neymar through on goal, with the Brazil star going round the Levante goalkeeper before regaining his composure and slotting into an empty goal in the 34th minute.
Messi got a chance to double the Catalan club’s lead three minute before half-time after Loukas Vyntra conceded a penalty and got sent off for a foul on the Argentine, who went on to miss the penalty.
Barcelona though would get the second just before the break and in emphatic manner through Ivan Rakitic’s fierce first-time shot from outside the area after the Levante defence failed to clear their lines.
Sandro then made it 3-0 12 minutes into the second half, sliding in the ball off a cut-back from Messi before Jordi Alba set up Pedro for the fourth and Messi wrapped up the win with a lobbed effort 13 minutes from time.
The win put Barça on 12 maximum points from four matches played, with 11 goals scored and none conceded.
Elsewhere in Spain, Ike Uche’s Villarreal came from two goals down to beat Rayo Vallecano 4-2 at the El-Madrigal, while Carlos Bacca scored twice in Sevilla’s 3-1 win at Cordoba and 10-man Almeria came away from San Sebastien with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
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