12 out of 12 for Barcelona

Lionel Messi was in his usual blistering form on Saturday scoring two goals as Barcelona brushed aside Getafe 4-1.

The double strike means that Messi has now scored 61 goals for club and country this calendar year beating his previous best of 60 from 2010. The little magician has also scored six goals in four La Liga games this season. 

Barcelona are top of the league with 12 points and four wins out of four, a perfect start to their campaign under new manager Tito Vilanova. 

They are already eight points ahead of bitter rivals Real Madrid although Jose Mourinho’s side have a game in hand. 

In the Champions League, Barca face Spartak Moscow on Wednesday in their first group round match and will hope to continue their domestic form. 

Also in action on Saturday, Valencia beat Celta Vigo 2-1 and Malaga downed Levante 3-1, days before their Champions League openers.

Sofiane Feghouli and Ali Cissokho scored in each half to give Valencia a much-needed first victory in La Liga, boosting their morale ahead of Wednesday’s game against Bayern Munich.

Summer signing from Lyon, Cissokho, was playing only his second game for the club, headed home a Tino Costa free-kick on 50 minutes for Valencia’s winner. 

Early first-half goals by Feghouli for the home side and Gustavo Cabral for Celta saw the game level at the interval.

New arrival Javier Saviola scored one and set up Joaquin Sanchez for a second to give Malaga the lead at La Rosaleda Stadium before Francisco Portillo capped Malaga’s third win in four rounds in injury time.

Michel had pulled Levante level just after the interval but Malaga fought back and deserved the victory 

Malaga open their maiden Champions League campaign against Zenit St. Petersburg on Tuesday, while Levante debut in the Europa League on Thursday.

In the later kick-off, Real Madrid – who will be desperate for points – visit Sevilla.