Defending champions Barcelona produced a ruthless display to thump Atletico Madrid 5-2 and cement their place at the top of the Primera Liga on Saturday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic needed two minutes to open the scoring with a delicate flick after being fed by a Sergio Busquets pass. Lionel Messi doubled Barca's advantage after 16 minutes when he chested down a superb pass from Xavi, skipped past the keeper and slotted into an empty net. Daniel Alves made it 3-0 on the half hour with a superb free kick and Malian midfielder Seydou Keita added the fourth on 41 points. Sergio Aguero pulled one back just before the break after capitalizing on a poor headed pass from Busquets. Diego Forlan further narrowed the gap six minutes from time when his left-footed shot from the edge of the area found the net. However, Messi netted his second of the night in stoppage time to kill off Atletico, who have yet to win a game this season. Barcelona, who gained maximum nine points from three matches, are on top of the table. Arch-rivals Real Madrid can catch them if they beat promoted Xerez on Sunday.
