Goals from Neymar, Ivan Rakitic, Sandro Ramirez, Pedro Rodriguez and Lionel Messi helped Barcelona to a comfortable win over Levante.
Barca duly maintain their 100% start to La Liga and have still yet to concede a goal, whereas Levante’s search for a first goal, never mind a win, goes on.
Neymar latched on to a perfectly weighted ball over the top from Messi to open the scoring, and, played onside by Pedro Lopez, the Brazil captain rounded Jesus to slot home.
Messi was fouled shortly before half time with Lukas Vyntra dismissed, but the Argentina captain put the spot kick well wide.
Levante failed to clear their lines with only a minute before the interval and the ball sat nicely for Rakitic, who lashed into the back of the net.
Sandro added emphasis to the score line when Barca won the ball back 30 yards from the Levante goal, Messi teeing up the youngster for a simple finish.
Pedro claimed the fourth with Sandro involved again, a one-two with Jordi Alba releasing the left-back, who pulled back for the winger to convert.
Messi eventually scored when Jesus’ throw fell at his feet and after a turn or two, he chipped the goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area.
Possession was almost exclusively under the command of Barca in the first half but Levante weren’t out of the game until Neymar’s goal, and indeed had some of the first half’s better chances when able to counter-attack.
The opening stages went as expected, Barca dominating the ball and red-and-blue shirts massing behind the it, but Jeremy Mathieu came a cropper and let in Jose Morales, his low cross dealt with impressively by the retreating Ivan Rakitic.
Jordi Alba blasted wide from a good angle as Barca regrouped before Jesus had to be alert to snuff out a chance for Neymar.
Jesus didn’t do so well when rushing out to reach a floated pass from Javier Mascherano, Neymar’s header beating the goalkeeper to it but also beating the post.
The opening goal came just past the half-hour mark, Jesus almost pushing away the bouncing ball, but Neymar kept his head and his feet.
A short backpass nearly let Messi in before Jesus’ scrambled clearance kept the deficit to one, while Messi’s wild penalty didn’t come close to testing the former Real Madrid stopper.
Jesus didn’t get near Rakitic’s rocket of a shot either but few ‘keepers would have, Barca putting daylight between themselves and their dogged hosts.
Neymar didn’t last much past half time after falling badly in an incident with Pedro Lopez, Sandro Ramirez coming on in his place.
A few minutes later and Sandro was on the score sheet, Levante’s attempt to play out of trouble only playing themselves into trouble as Barca pounced and stole possession.
Sandro and Alba exchanged passes to open up Levante again, this time for Pedro to score his first goal of the season
Jesus saved once from Messi as Barca looked for a fifth but after practically dropping the ball at Messi’s feet, was stranded seconds later.
It could have been six when Mathieu’s header back across goal nearly found Pedro, the greatest concern for the victors coming from injuries to Neymar and Alba, who ended the match a passenger at centre-back.
Levante 0-5 Barcelona
Vyntra s/o 41 (L); Neymar 34, Rakitic 44, Sandro 57, Pedro 64, Messi 78 (FCB)
Levante: Jesus; Pedro Lopez, Vyntra, Rodas, Tono; Mate, Diop (Sissoko 62), Camarasa; Victor, Barral (Ruben 72), Morales (Ivanschitz 58)
Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets (Xavi 62), Rakitic, Iniesta (Sergi 72); Pedro, Neymar (Sandro 51), Messi
Referee: Jose Gonzalez Gonzalez
