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. Steven Stamkos Jersey . 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." Ryan McDonagh Jersey . Browns advice worked. Irving scored 20 points, including seven in the fourth quarter, and Cleveland defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 88-82 Saturday night. Irving made his first shot of the night on a layup a little over three minutes into the game. Yanni Gourde Lightning Jersey . The Incheon-based tea, of the Korea Baseball Organization said the deal for the 35-year-old Scott included a $50,000 signing bonus. Scott reached the major leagues with Houston in 2005 and hit 23 homers or more for Baltimore each year from 2008-10. http://www.lightninghockeystore.us/Ryan-Mcdonagh-Jersey/ . "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes.LAS VEGAS -- Hungry. Obsessed. Driven. Professional. The epitome of a champion. UFC president Dana White was full of praise Thursday in summing up welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, who looks to extend his MMA legacy this weekend with a win over Johny (Bigg Rigg) Hendricks at UFC 167. "When youre as rich as Georges St-Pierre is, to stay that mentally tough and to keep having the drive and the passion to win that he does, thats what separates him from all the rest," White told reporters Thursday. Asked how rich the 32-year-old fighter from Montreal was, White replied: "Hes rich. Hes very rich." And White knows rich. The UFC boss travels in a world of private jets, big bets, fast cars and the finest restaurants. Saturdays payday will likely help further pad the GSP retirement fund. St-Pierre, the organizations biggest pay-per-view draw, is likely to earn several times over the US$2 million that Zuffa paid to purchase an ailing UFC back in 2001. White has his favourites and villains in his roster of fighters past and present. Former light-heavyweight Chuck (The Iceman) Liddell is like family. Tito Ortiz, another former title-holder, was oil to Whites water. But his tribute to St-Pierre, in a lengthy scrum of reporters after the pre-fight news conference Thursday, was unparalleled. "Hes an absolute professional," White said. "No matter how dominant hes been over the last however many years, he still takes guys seriously, he still puts in the hard work. Hes a dedicated professional." White also said St-Pierre was easy to work with outside the cage. If the champion has an issue, he just picks up the phone and they hash it out. "Theres no ego with Georges St-Pierre ... Nobody has been easier and more professional to work with than Georges St-Pierre." The champion has surrounded himself with good people, he added, "There are no barnacles on that kids back. That kid is his own man. he does his own thing." And White seemed to marvel as the Canadian champions pursuit of excellence. "The thing that makes this whole thing work, this whole machine is hunger and drive ... To still have that drive and that desire to win is what sets him apart from all the rest." White was one of the early booster of St-Pierre. "In my opinion, Georges St-Pierre is the most talented fighter on the planet right now," the UFC president said in February 2006 before UFC 58. "The Canadian people ought be all over him, man. The kid is good-looking, charismatic, an unbelievable fighter, one of the nicest human beings you could ever hope to meet. Im surprised he doesnt have major blue-chip sponsors here in Canada, because people are really starting to notice him in the U.S. "It doesnt matter wheres he from," White added. "Hes a star, hes a UFC star." White has also been critical. After St-Pierre was beaten in his first title defence, at UFC 69 in April 2007, the UFC boss questioned his mental strength, "After watching that Matt Serra fight, I question Georges St. Pierres mental ability to fight." St-Pierre (24-2) has not lost since and has long put that criticism to rest. On Thursday, as Hendricks drove himself to distraction over pre-fight bickering concerning additional drug tests, St-Pierre smiled and politely answered all questionns on the topic. Martin St. Louis Jersey. In response to Hendricks sly claim that the champion wasnt as big as he used to be, St-Pierre -- speaking in French -- turned the accusation into a testimonial for his fitness DVD RushFit. He looked every part a champion, in an elegant suit and tie. Hendricks wore a garish yellow/lime green T-shirt under a black baseball cap. White noted how St-Pierre looked on the televised preview show for UFC 167 -- his nose split and face bruised from training. "Eyes so black that it actually looks like he has black eye-liner across his eye. Thats a guy whos busting his ass in the gym every day, Thats the guy whos doing everything it takes to win another title defence." These days St-Pierre is on a quest to keep adding his name to the UFC record book. He can make history by winning Saturday, becoming the first fighter to record 19 wins in the UFC. The Canadian champion is currently tied with UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes, whom he first beat for the title, at 18 victories. GSP is also tied with former middleweight champion Anderson Silva for most wins in UFC title bouts at 11. And if the Hendricks fight lasts 40 seconds or longer, St-Pierre will surpass B.J. Penns record of five hours three minutes and 51 seconds for career fight time in the UFC. St-Pierre already holds the mark for most championship rounds fought (47). He has already set UFC records for significant strikes landed (1,153), total strikes landed (2,398), takedowns landed (84), and takedown accuracy rate (75 per cent), according to FightMetric. St-Pierre has controlled his opponent for two hours 35 minutes 57 seconds in the cage, using the top position on the ground to punish or finish opponents. Those records date back to UFC 28, the first event to use the unified rules of mixed martial arts. The total fight time record dates back to UFC 1. St-Pierre is also chasing other records. A win Saturday would be both GSPs ninth successful title defence and ninth straight title defence, one behind Silva in each category. It will be his 14th championship fight, one behind Randy Couture. For his part, St-Pierre says he will savour such records when he is older. There is still work to do. White believes GSP is after Silvas records. "Georges isnt the kind of guy that talks about that stuff, but I believe if you look at the type of guy that he is and what hes accomplished, I think thats what hes doing." St-Pierre has already taken care of key business, avenging his only two losses. He defeated Hughes twice (at UFC 65 and UFC 79) after tapping out to an armbar at UFC 50 in October 2004. And after losing his first title defence to Serra at UFC 69, he won the crown back a year later at UFC 83. After losing his title to Serra, a sports psychologist suggested he threw a brick with Serras name on it into the chilly water off Montreals South Shore to symbolize getting the title loss -- and Serra -- off his back. So he did. He revamped his training staff and management and has never looked back. GSP, who underwent knee surgery in December 2011 after a training injury during wrestling, is currently riding an 11-fight win streak -- the longest current run in the UFC. White marvelled at such an unbeaten run. "Especially when you are the champion. All the best in the world are gunning at you. All the time." ' ' '