[monks data]

La Liga

Aug 18, 2013 at 6pm UK

Barcelona
7-0
Levante

Sanchez (3'), Messi (12', 42' pen.), Alves (24'), Pedro (26', 73'), Xavi (45')

FT(HT: 6-0)

Half-Time Report: Rampant Barcelona six up against Levante

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 18 August 2013

Barcelona score six first-half goals in their La Liga opener against Levante in Gerardo Martino's first game in charge of the Catalan giants.

Barcelona have begun their La Liga campaign with a mesmerising six-goal first-half display at Camp Nou against Levante.

Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez is congratulated by team mates after tapping in the opening goal against Levante on August 18, 2013 © Getty Images

It took just three minutes for the defending champions to open the scoring with a trademark tiki-taka passing move that Levante's players could only admire.

Xavi's first-time pass was weighted perfectly for the run of Cesc Fabregas, who unselfishly squared to Alexis Sanchez to tap home.

Lionel Messi opened his account for the season in the 12th minute by collecting Daniel Alves's pass and firing low past Keylor Navas.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi is congratulated by team mate Pedro after scoring his team's second goal against Levante on August 18, 2013 © AFP

Alves then got himself on the scoresheet to make it three after 24 minutes by rounding off another swift set of passes, with Fabregas again the provider.

Pedro made it four two minutes later, running onto Messi's pass and opening his body to guide the ball into the far corner.

It was five and then six when Messi lashed home a penalty before yet another one-touch move bamboozled the green shirts of Levante and was finished off by Xavi on the stroke of half time.

The hosts had a mammoth 79% possession and got off 11 shots to Levante's zero.