The Catalan derby bragging rights were always going to be hotly contested and Lionel Messi did his best to ensure that it was Barcelona who claimed them as he opened the scoring with just 19 minutes gone against Girona on Sunday.
It was a significant day for the Argentine as he broke Dani Alves' record for the most LaLiga appearances for a non-Spanish player and he made sure he marked the occcasion with a goal.
The forward was quiet in the opening 10 minutes but burst into life with one mesmerising run and soon followed it up by getting on the scoresheet.
Arturo Vidal was the provider, sliding a ball into the feet of Messi just inside the box to allow him to slot a first-time effort into the bottom corner.
It was a textbook finish from the Barca star, who made it look easy.
The goal took Messi to five in LaLiga so far this campaign, making him the competition's top scorer.