LIONEL MESSI scored twice and missed a penalty as Barcelona stretched its winning record in Spanish La Liga to four games with a 4-1 win over Levante on Sunday.

    The European champions lead Real Madrid, Villarreal and Celta Vigo by two points with Atletico Madrid a point further adrift in fifth.

    Levante frustrated an experimental Barca side shorn of Luis Suarez from the start for 50 minutes before Marc Bartra settled the Catalans’ nerves from Messi’s cross.

    The floodgates then opened as Neymar doubled the advantage before Messi converted his first effort from the spot.

    Victor Casadesus pulled a goal back for Levante 24 minutes from time as he pounced on an error from Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

    Messi then missed a penalty for the second time this season, but made amends with a stunning individual effort to round off the scoring.

    “He isn’t human because he scored two goals and provided an assist,” Barca boss Luis Enrique joked when asked if Messi’s struggles from the spot proved he is fallible.(SD-Agencies)