Barca blitz sends scary message to rivals

Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick and Lionel Messi added two more goals as Barcelona opened its Spanish league title defense by routing Real Betis 6-2 on Saturday.

Suarez, who topped La Liga with 40 goals last season, helped put the result beyond doubt before halftime and struck twice after the break to complete the demolition.

Even better for the Catalan club, Messi destroyed any rivals' hopes that a difficult summer might have affected his game.