Barcleona, Real Madrid enjoy away wins

MADRID, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Both reigning Primera Liga Champions FC Barcelona and Real Madrid won their respective league matches on Saturday night.

Barcelona overcame a poor first half performance away to Getafe to win its second game in two matches.

Getafe hit the Barcelona post and crossbar in the first half, but everything changed with the introduction of Leo Messi as a second half substitute for Barca.

Messi helped set up the opening goal of the game with a pass that allowed Eric Abidal to cross for Zlatan Ibrahimovich to open the scoring for the Catalans.

The Argentinean then scored the second himself with a header to seal the win.

Real Madrid meanwhile won 3-0 away to Espanyol.

The game was the inaugural Primera Liga fixture in Espanyol's new Cornilla-El Prat Stadium, but it was an unhappy start for the home side.

Esteban Granero opened the scoring for Real Madrid after 38 minutes.

The big spenders were then able to find more space in the second period and Guti and Cristiano Ronaldo scored further goals in a result that confirmed Real Madrid as clear title candidates.

Meanwhile Real's city neighbors Atletico suffered a disappointing night at home to Racing Santander.

The run in to the match had seen a demonstration against the Atletico directors Miguel Angel Gil Marin and Enrique Cerezo and that feeling of discontent spilled into the game.

With a side lacking creativity in central midfield, Atletico struggled to create chances and it needed a moment of magic from Jose Jurado after 42 minutes.

However, Oscar Serrano levelled for the visitors after 46 minutes and although Racing had Jose Crespo sent off early in the second half, they held on with few problems, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Finally Sevilla ended Saturday's games with a comfortable 4-1 win at home to recently promoted Zaragoza.

Brazilian international Luis Fabiano, who just returned from World Cup duty, showed his form with two of his side's goals while Abdoulay Konko and Diego Perotti scored Sevilla's other two of the night.