MADRID: Barcelona maintained their perfect start to their title defence when Neymar scored his first La Liga goal and Lionel Messi netted his seventh of the season in a 4-1 victory at home to Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
The champions made it six wins from six largely thanks to a scintillating first-half display at the Nou Camp, when Neymar bundled the ball over the line after five minutes and World Player of the Year Messi made it 2-0 with a diving header from the Brazilian’s cross three minutes later.
Sergio Busquets scored a rare goal to make it 3-0 in the 23rd minute before Barca lost some of their intensity in the second half and Alberto de la Bella pulled one back for the visitors just after the hour.
Messi, whose goal was his seventh in five league appearances this term, then set up substitute Marc Bartra to score from close range 13 minutes from time and snuff out any hopes of a Sociedad fightback.
Atletico Madrid defeated Osasuna 2-1 at home later in the day.
Meanwhile, Malaga were 2-0 winners over Almeria on home turf, while Valladolid held Levante to a 1-1 draw away.
Late on Wednesday (early Thursday India time) Real Madrid were scheduled to face minnows Elche. (Reuters)
Mascherano out for 2 weeks
MADRID: Barcelona’s injury crisis deepened on Wednesday after tests confirmed first-choice centre back Javier Mascherano will be out of action for upto 15 days after damaging a thigh muscle in 4-1 La Liga win at home to Real Sociedad.
With left back Jordi Alba sidelined and captain Carles Puyol yet to return from a knee surgery, Mascherano’s injury is a fresh blow to coach Gerardo Martino.
The Argentine sustained the injury in a collision with team mate Sergio Busquets and was eventually be replaced by Marc Bartra after 30 minutes. (Reuters)