Barca rout Villareal 5-0 in La Liga

Champions Barcelona produced the perfect response to bitter rivals Real Madrid here on Monday as they overwhelmed Champions League qualifiers Villarreal 5-0 in their opening league match of the season

Champions Barcelona produced the perfect response to bitter rivals Real Madrid here on Monday as they overwhelmed Champions League qualifiers Villarreal 5-0 in their opening league match of the season.

A double by Lionel Messi plus goals on their league debuts for summer acquisitions Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez after an opener from Thiago came just a day after Real had thrashed Real Zaragoza 6-0.

Barcelona's win, though, is an ominous sign for Real Madrid as Villarreal are considered a far stronger side than Zaragoza.

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