Messi, Neymar score as Barca beat Levante

Having suffered a defeat to Celta Vigo in their opening match of the season, Levante have picked up points in their last two outings, most recently sharing a 1-1 draw with Sevilla, but Lucas Alcaraz is still looking for his first win of the season.

Messi’s final goal came in the 90th minute, using a gorgeous dribbling effort followed by a left-footed strike from distance, after scoring in the 61st minute off a penalty kick.

“He isn’t human because he scored two goals and provided an assist”, Barca boss Luis Enrique joked when asked if Messi’s struggles from the spot proved he is fallible.

Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres came off the bench to make one and score another as Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at Eibar to lie fifth. “There is very little human about Messi”.

But given that Barcelona controlled the ball for some 70 percent of the match, it was only a matter of time before the squad managed to start connecting.

He told reporters: “We’re a team who must overcome any problems the season throws at us”.

The coach decided to rest Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta as Munir and Sandro got the chance to prove their worth and he is confident both youngsters have a bright future ahead of them.

Luis Enrique said the system, which featured Messi in a floating No. 10 role, was another option when Barca faced teams who packed in their defence. “To be able to change the system, and for opponents not to know how we’ll play, is good”.

“They are important players for the future”.

Levante have been playing with a back five formation and are expected to continue to play the 5-3-2 that will ensure they are hard to break down at Camp Nou. “We all expect them to score two or three a game, but that is hard “.

Victor Casadesus pulled a goal back for Levante 24 minutes from time as he pounced on an error from Barca ‘keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Munir El Haddadi, making a rare start for Barca, went one-on-one with goalkeeper Ruben Martinez but was denied having hesitated before pulling the trigger.