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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) scores a goal against Atletico de Madrid during their Spanish League football match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Barca won 5-2.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]
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FC Barcelona handed out a 5-2 punishment to Atletico Madrid in the Camp Nou Stadium to remain top of the Primera Liga on Saturday night.
Leo Messi celebrated his new contract with the club with two goals and a pass that set up Seydou Keita for the fourth goal.
Zlatan Ibrahimovich opened the scoring for Barcelona after just two minutes. The big Swede scored his third goal in three games following a pass from Sergio Busquets.
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Barcelona's Leo Messi (L) is tackled by Atletico Madrid's Pablo Ibanez during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona September 19, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]
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Messi made it 2-0 after 15 minutes before Dani Alves scored a direct free kick just before the half hour.
Keita made it 4-0 after brilliant work from Messi on the left, four minutes from half time and although Kun Aguero scored for Atletico following a Busquets error in the 45th minute, the game looked to be in Barcelona's control.
Both sides appeared to accept the result and the game lost its edge in the second period. However, Diego Forlan pulled a second goal back for Atletico with five minutes left and the fans in the Camp Nou became nervous.
But Messi added a fifth for Barcelona in the last minute after a neat assist from Alves.