Lionel Messi scores brace on Barcelona return

Barcelona have defeated Getafe 4-0 at Camp Nou in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie, with Lionel Messi scoring twice on his return from injury.

The Catalan giants took just eight minutes to open the scoring as Cesc Fabregas headed home Pedro's cross from inside the visitors' box.

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Getafe squandered a good chance to restore parity 10 minutes later when Borja headed Mehdi Lacen's cross over the bar from close range.

The Madrid outfit started to gain confidence as the first half progressed, with Jose Manuel Pinto being forced into making a good save from a Juan Rodriguez attempt just past the half-hour mark.

However, it was hosts Barcelona who scored the second goal of the evening. Valera brought down Pedro inside the Getafe box and Fabregas slammed home the resulting penalty.

Messi came on in place of Andres Iniesta moments after in what was his first appearance for Gerardo Martino's side since November and found the target in the 89th minute with a simple finish.

The Argentina international forward scored again in the third minute of injury time with a mazy run to wrap up a 4-0 victory for Barcelona.