Messi, who does have a habit of easing himself into games, tested opposition keeper Jaume Domenech for the first time just before the break before his full abilities came to the fore after the break. The Argentine had one shot, with the outside of his boot, come off the post before he forced Domenech into making a stunning one-handed save. Messi finally found the net with his 28th goal against Valencia in all competitions. Pique's header from a corner rebounded off the post and the number 10 tapped in from close range. The expected onslaught in the final 15 minutes never materialised with, instead, Valencia's Goncalo Guedes twice going close to scoring a third for his side. Victory meant coach Marcelino Garcia Toral ended a personal 20-game winless run in all competitions against Barcelona.