Barcelona began their La Liga campaign by thrashing Real Sociedad 5-1, with two goals from Lionel Messi, even as champions Real Madrid started their title defence with a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia.
Barcelona thrashed Real Sociedad 5-1 with Lionel Messi scoring twice, striking first Sunday in the likely two-way fight for the Spanish league title after Real Madrid had drawn 1-1 against Valencia.
To sweeten the debut of Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova, David Villa played his first competitive minutes since breaking his leg last December and capped the win with a goal.
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The Barcelona team celebrates Messi's goal. Pic/AFP
While Cristiano Ronaldo was lackluster when Madrid opened its title defence, Messi picked up right where he left off after scoring a league-record 50 goals last season. With the score level at 1-1 early on, the three-time Ballon d'Or winner scored two quick goals to decide the match at the Camp Nou.
"I like scoring, but I like Barca winning even more," said Messi. "I am just continuing to play the same way, trying to help the group and playing so our fans can enjoy it."
Earlier in the Spanish capital, Madrid appeared set to carry on its winning ways from last season when Gonzalo Higuain scored in the 10th minute. But Jonas leveled for Valencia in the 42nd to give coach Mauricio Pellegrino a hard-earned draw on his debut.
Ronaldo, who set a club record with 46 league goals last season, was uncharacteristically subdued and failed to manage a shot on goal. The Portugal forward acknowledged that neither he nor the team played well. "I am not 100 percent but I hope to get into shape as soon as possible," he said. "It wasn't a good game for us. We played poorly in the first half, better in the second. We had chance but we couldn't finish them off. "We just have to keep our chins up and continue forward."
Barcelona hosts Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup on Thursday.
Vilanova had a perfect debut for a coach called on to protect the legacy of Pep Guardiola, who led Barcelona to 14 titles in four seasons with Vilanova as his assistant.
Vilanova opted for Pedro Rodriguez and Cristian Tello in his starting 11, and both forwards had standout performances. But it fell to defender Carles Puyol to get Barcelona started in the fourth minute. The defender showed no signs of his knee surgery that kept him out of the European championships when he rose up to head in Xavi Hernandez's corner kick.
Chori Castro levelled for Sociedad in the ninth, but Messi dashed any thoughts of an upset two minutes later when he received a pass from Pedro, went between two defenders and looped a left-footed shot while falling into the back of the net. Messi struck again in the 16th. Tello returned Messi's rebound with a low cross for the scoring ace to poke by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
"On the first goal I had a little bit of luck. We like to combine close to the area and it worked out well, and Tello was great on the second," Messi said.
Tello then picked out Pedro unmarked on the right side to slice home his cross in the 41st.
With the result beyond doubt, Vilanova sent on Villa for the final 15 minutes. Moments after receiving a standing ovation, Villa brought Barcelona's fans back to their feet when he fired in Andres Iniesta's pass in the 84th to seal the victory.
"I am very happy but this has only just begun," said Vilanova.
Madrid dictated the pace early on and Higuain soon put his team ahead. Higuain scored on the third attempt after goalkeeper Diego Alves made back-to-back saves to deny the Argentina striker.
Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain opens the scoring in the 10th minute. Pic/AFP
Just when Valencia appeared clueless in attack, Jonas leveled for the visitors with a header.
Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and defender Pepe collided in an attempt to reach the ball, with both lying prone on the pitch for a few moments before restarting play with both looking groggy.
Pepe was replaced by Raul Albiol at halftime and was sent to hospital for observation.
The score level, Valencia regained its composure and succeeded in frustrating a Madrid attack that last season established a league scoring record with 121 goals. Madrid coach Jose Mourinho downplayed the draw. "We didn't play well but we played well enough to win," the Portuguese said.u00a0
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