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BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up another Sunday to help mark the debut of Neymar and Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino in a 7-0 thrashing of Levante, ensuring the Spanish champions start their title defence in style. While Barcelona rolled to victory, Real Madrid needed a late header by new midfielder Francisco "Isco" Alarcon to edge out Real Betis 2-1 at home in the first game with Carlo Ancelotti in charge after three season under Jose Mourinho. Madrids lacklustre showing will add more pressure on president Florentino Perez to pay the hefty price Tottenham desires for forward Gareth Bale to reinforce its attack. Also, Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa did his best to erase memories of Radamel Falcao by scoring twice, including a well-taken go-ahead goal off the break in the 79th minute, to lead a 3-1 win at Sevilla. Granada, meanwhile, won 2-1 at Osasuna. With signature signing Neymar watching from the bench, Messi almost single-handedly dismantled the overmatched Levante. After Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring, Messi claimed Barcelonas second goal, stole possession to create the third, and passed for Pedro Rodriguez to score the fourth. Messi scored his second goal from the penalty spot before Xavi Hernandez made it 6-0 against the demoralized visitors to equal a club record of goals in a first half. Neymar, who has been recovering from anemia since his (euro)57 million move from Santos in the off-season, went on in the second half in time to see Pedro strike again and polish off the lopsided victory. "We saw great football and great goals in the first half," said Neymar. "Im getting better physically, little by little. I hope to be 100 per cent soon. We have started well, with a win. Thats the important thing." The applause Neymar received while warming up grew to a standing ovation when he went on for Alexis in the 64th for his first official minutes in Barcelonas burgundy and blue. Those eager to see Neymar and Messi together were disappointed, however. The two were only on together for seven minutes before Martino sent Andres Iniesta on for Messi. The 21-year-old Neymar was active on the left flank but couldnt find his new teammates with crosses. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas saved his best chance before he was booked for tripping. Martino said that he had agreed with Messi to take him out once the game was resolved, keeping in mind the long season ahead and that the player is coming off a hamstring injury. "Everyone wants to see Neymar and Messi together," said Martino. "I want his adaptation to be as quick as possible, but without forcing anything. Shortly well see him at his best." Martino was hired in a rush last month to replace Tito Vilanova after he announced he was stepping down to focus on his fight against a recurrent throat tumour. But despite a hectic preseason and little preparation time, Barcelonas talented squad made the Argentine managers first game in Europe an easy stroll. "The concepts we had talked with the players about, which arent new but rather well studied by this team, we saw them on display again tonight," said Martino. "Our midfielders incorporating in attack, alternating how we create in attack -- these are good signs. Pressing up the pitch is one of the things we have most insisted upon. Im satisfied." Barcelona made a bright start by scoring in the third minute through one of its trademark passing combinations that turned the flatfooted Levante defence into onlookers as Cesc Fabregas laid off for Alexis to tap into the open goalmouth. Messi netted the hosts second goal in the 12th after Fabregas started the move with a nifty chested pass to free up Messi to work a one-two with Pedro before slotting the ball home. Messis defence produced the third in the 24th. The four-time world player of the year chased down David Navarro and stole the ball near the corner flag to begin another weave of passes that ended with Dani Alves knocking in a rebound. Far from done, Messi showed off his passing skills two minutes later by serving a perfectly weighted long ball for Pedro to fire beyond Navas. Levante couldnt help but add to its own demise when Pedro Lopez fouled Adriano just inside the area, letting Messi drill in the spot kick in the 41st. Xavi poked in the sixth goal in the 45th and Fabregas passed for Pedros second goal in the 73rd. Betis showed more verve early at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and led 1-0 after a goal set up by a solo run from Cedrick Mabwati, for whom Betis paid (euro)1.20 -- the price of a coffee-- to pick up in the off-season. Cedricks blistering burst of speed in the 14th took him past Sergio Ramos to square for Jorge Molina to beat goalkeeper Diego Lopez, whom Ancelotti chose in goal over Iker Casillas, as did Mourinho. After Cedrick set up Joan Verdu only to shoot wide, Karim Benzema levelled for Madrid off an assist by Isco in the 26th. Madrids Cristiano Ronaldo curled a shot off the woodwork seconds after halftime, but Betis held firm until Marcelo picked out Isco to head in from the far post and grab the 86th-minute winner. "I believe we can improve," said Ancelotti. "The problem was our balance. The second half was difficult and the problem was clear, it was in defence. We left too much space between our lines and Betis played a great game. "Isco did everything in this match. Clearly the key to this season is the balance that we must establish with our quality players." Darius Miles Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. Elton Brand Jersey .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. https://www.cheapclippersonline.com/1160h-paul-george-jersey-clippers.html . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Clippers Jerseys China .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Norm Nixon Jersey . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Heather Watson seems destined never to break out of her frustrating bundle of contradictions.Talented and with plenty of potential, the British No.2 and the nations tennis fans have been waiting for her to really break through at the top of the game. She is 24 now, and they have been hoping for that big moment for some time.Watson had made the Olympics her top priority this season and actually won her first-round match here against Chinas Shuai Peng 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3 on Saturday.But the victory took her a gruelling 2 hours 29 minutes in the heat and she was on the defensive afterwards about having attended the opening ceremony, which finished late on Friday night.It made me very happy going, Watson said. I regretted not going in London. It was a great decision to go. It was so well organised, everything was on time and we were sat down before.As soon as we were done with our walk -- which was incredible and amazing to be a part of -- I was appointed Andys security guard at the front there. It was such an honour and Im so glad I did it. If anything, it helped me for my match.Maybe it did, maybe it didnt. Watson clearly enjoyed herself at the Maracana but staying up late and potentially being kept on her feet for a long time didnt sound like ideal preparation for the first match in a tournament shes been talking about all year.The British team had a very small proportion of its athletes involved in the ceremony, with only 70 of 366 making it. Some who stayed away were at the training camp in Belo Horizonte, but others had competition to think of.It felt like a classic Watson contradiction, but she did, come through after all, and it was her first singles win since the Aegon Classic in Birmingham in June.After the disappointment of the singles at Wimbledon, when she lost in the first round to Elena Vesnina, Watson has given the impression of someone who is frustrated with herself for not climbing up the tennis rankings; someone who feels like time is running out for her.dddddddddddd.The world No.67 talked of overhauling her whole approach when she went was beaten by the Russian, and then went on to win the mixed doubles with Henri Kontinen.That success may have opened a new avenue for her, too, if the way she is talking is anything to go by. She certainly looked good when she went back on court with Jo Konta as they beat Jelena Jankovic and Aleksandra Krunic 6-2, 6-1, even if she did admit to being drained afterward.My goal is to get a medal, she said of her ambitions for Rio. Thats the dream [but] Im not here to just be a part of it. Thats how I went into Wimbledon, whether it is in singles, doubles, whatever it is, that is what I want to shoot for.I didnt play my best [Saturday]. It was one of those winning ugly ones. It was a battle of the fittest and I didnt feel too tired at all, so Im really pleased with that.Watson has a tough draw in the second round, facing Ukraines Elina Svitolina, the world No.20, and could face Serena Williams if she gets through.Watson pushed the great American to her limit at Wimbledon last year, but that third-round battle feels like a very long time ago now.Watson still has time to make the most of her talent in singles and any shift of focus to take in doubles now would be premature.Perhaps these Games can give her the spark she needs, the boost that could strip away the contradictions. You suspect it would come as a huge relief if they did. ' ' '