Messi's back with 2 goals as Barca wins opener

Lionel Messi scored twice to help 10-man Barcelona start the Spanish league with a 3-0 win over Elche in the debut of coach Luis Enrique on Sunday, with the Argentina star looking eager to put last season's disappointments behind him.

Messi used a signature burst of speed to dribble free of a pack of opponents before slotting in Barcelona's first goal in the 41st.

Minutes later Barcelona lost Javier Mascherano to a direct red card when he fouled Elche's Garry Rodrigues with only goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to beat.

But Barcelona's 18-year-old Munir El Haddadi, starting for the injured Neymar, scored seconds into the half before Messi got his second goal in the 63rd after again confounding a group of defenders.