Messi makes amends to spare Barcelona's blushes

MADRID - Lionel Messi scored twice and had a penalty saved as Barcelona maintained its perfect start to the season in La Liga with a 2-0 win at Alaves on Saturday.

Without new signing Ousmane Dembele, who completed the world's second most expensive transfer by moving for $125 million from Borussia Dortmund last Friday, or the injured Luis Suarez, Messi ensured Barca didn't lose any early ground in the title race despite a tumultuous start to the campaign off the field.

The five-time World Player of the Year missed from the spot for the 20th time in his career as Fernando Pacheco produced a stunning save midway through the first half.