Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta and David Villa all scored as FC Barcelona made a stunning start to their quest for a hat-trick of league titles with a triumph over Racing Santander on Sunday evening.The Blaugrana dominated possession throughout in front of an expectant crowd in El Sardinero and the three players who started up front for the visitors all scored and had many more chances to make the victory even more emphatic. Víctor Valdés also shone as he saved a penalty and made other fine saves to show why he won the Zamora Trophy last time out.
Messi celebrates
Barça began the game with six members of Spain's World Cup winning squad on the field after Carles Puyol was withdrawn late on as a precaution. That quality proved to be too much for Racing Club, although they did put a keen fight. Messi scored 34 league goals to equal Ronaldo's club record last season and took just three minutes to find his first this term. The Argentinian broke into the area down the right and edged past Henrique, who has renewed his loan spell at Racing from Barça, before superbly clipping the ball over the approaching keeper.
Iniesta scores
Just before the second goal arrived Messi could have doubled his tally as he took on Gonzalo Colsa and Marc Torrejón and looked set to roll the ball home only for Francis to take it off his toe. Two minutes later and Iniesta did increase Barça's advantage as he showed incredible technique when meeting Toño's punch out of the area on the volley. The Blaugrana star met the ball first time and guided it back over the stranded keeper and into the net and the goal saw everyone on the bench, bar Guardiola, rise to applaud the strike.
Valdés saves
Moments after going two ahead Barça could have seen their lead halved when the referee felt that Maxwell had nudged Francis over and generously gave the hosts a penalty. Valdés stood strong before diving to his right to palm away Tchité's effort from 12 yards out. That stop gave the away side even more of a lift and before the break Messi could have yet another only to see his effort fly just off target.
Villa nets
After the break FC Barcelona kept hold off the ball for long periods as they made Racing chase the play as they showed that their enjoyment of playing in confined space and creating chances from nothing has not dropped at all despite winning their second league title last season.
Villa was keen to net his first goal for the club after joining from Valencia before the World Cup Finals and after putting in a solid display he was rewarded in the 62nd minute for his efforts. Alves' sent over a deep cross from the right and the Asturian maintained his position before guiding the ball back across Toño and into the far corner of the net.
Adrián drew the best out of Valdés before the end, but the Barça keeper kept a clean sheet and secured their first three points of the season by sending out a message to the rest of the league that they want their third consecutive title.
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