Barca routs newcomer Leganes

BARCELONA — Barcelona’s unstoppable trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all scored to make short work of newly promoted Leganes in the Spanish football league Saturday. The three stars combined repeatedly in the first half to set the defending champion on its way to a 5-1 win in Barcelona’s first ever visit to Leganes, a small club from southern Madrid playing its maiden campaign in the top tier. Messi scored twice, and hit the post, giving the Argentina star five goals in two matches during a five-day span. Gabriel Appelt Pires’s fine free-kick pulled a goal back for Leganes 10 minutes from time. Last weekend, Barcelona left Messi and Suarez on the bench against Alaves, only to see the promoted side snatch a rare 2-1 win at Camp Nou. Lesson learned. Coach Luis Enrique went with Messi and Suarez from the start Saturday. The two linked up with striker partner Neymar to completely outclass their hosts. Playing just its fourth match in the top flight in its 88-year history, Leganes opted to be daring when faced by the five-time European champion. Leganes had reason to trust coach Asier Garitano, who had led it up from the third division to the first in only three years. The team started the season with a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo and a 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid. Its high defensive line, however, only left Barcelona’s big three with plenty of room to romp. The easy win was a continuation of Barcelona’s dominant week after thrashing Celtic 7-0. Messi scored three times against the Scottish visitors and helped set a club record for its biggest win in the Champions League. Striker Alex Alegria scored two goals to help Real Betis salvage a 2-2 home draw against 10-man Granada Friday. Belgian midfielder Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez put Granada ahead in the 13th minute and Alberto Bueno added to the visitor’s lead in the 33rd before Alegria rallied Betis with goals in the 36th and 61st minutes at the Benito Villamarin Stadium. Granada had a chance to move ahead again with a penalty kick in the 78th but Argentine forward Ezequiel Ponce had his effort saved by Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan. The goalkeeper did well again to save from the rebound, and the defense cleared the following attempt just in front of the goal line. Granada played most of the second half at a numerical disadvantage after defender Ruben Vezo was sent off in the 53rd following two yellow cards. Betis had reserve goalkeeper Dani Gimenez sent off in the 84th for complaining from the bench. — AP