It was always going to be billed Lionel Messi against Sergio Aguero. It was Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in what was the biggest game of the weekend all across Europe. Both players have been burdened with that tag.

Yes, they’ve both been compared el Diego. What doesn’t help the hype is Aguero shacking up with Maradona’s youngest daughter Gianina, who is pregnant with their first child. While Roberto Gomez of Marca may dream of the possibility of offspring with out-of-this-world footballing ability combining the genes of both, the Rojiblancos will be intent on mounting a title challenge to keep hold of and match the ambitions their Romario-esque superstar.

Messi has been busy saving Barcelona once more, having scored twice off the bench midweek in Donetsk. The Catalan outfit seems more focussed on the task at hand, unlike last year, but the constant changes in formation and tactics from rookie coach Josep Guardiola, has caused a lack of consistency. There were several talking points other than Iniesta’s haircut in the opening minutes. Barcelona were rampant.

This was the side that won the Champions League in 2006 and not the one that stuttered to a trophy-less season last year. The home side had three set pieces and profited greatly from each one. Messi was instrumental in two of the goals. First Rafael Marquez glanced home at the near post, then Messi himself was fouled, with Eto’o sending Coupet the wrong way from the spot. Finally Messi curled home a quick free-kick, with consent from the referee.

The Nou Camp crowd were chanting ‘ole’ after eleven minutes; such was the shock of their barnstorming start. Yet, inspirational captain Maxi Rodriguez took advantage of cantera product Sergi Busquets’ error to curl home a sumptuous effort. Was it game on? Not if Samuel Eto’o had anything to do with it.

The striker, who had an uncertain future during the summer, seems to be paying back the fans with some very determined performances. He chested down Xavi’s floated pass turned Ujfalusi inside out and slotted home with the ’keeper committed. While Barcelona celebrated a breathtaking start, Atletico’s anguish was compounded with an injury to Maxi. 4-1 and game over.

Liverpool fans must have been enjoying the total confusion in the Madrid side’s backline, certain that Torres would be able to exploit the positional errors in his former side’s defence. Kun Aguero was anonymous with one attempt to do it all himself blocked by the Barca defence, but all the action was at the other end.

One spectator commented upon the game comparing the six goals scored over four games in the Premier League earlier today with this game itself. Six goals in only 28 minutes, it was unbelievable attacking and shambolic defending which made it impossible to look away. Iniesta drove at the defence, cut in and shot. His effort bounced off the near post and fell into the path of Eidur Gudjonsen who tucked it home.

The efforts continued with Iniesta curling a shot onto the post. The rebound fell to Messi, who dragged his shot wide, with Eto’o attempting to head it in. On a night like this, you couldn’t blame him. Yet there was a sour note, as Antonio Lopez brought down Messi, who had a noticeable gash on his thigh. He was booked for this terrible tackle – he should have been sent off. Xavi then danced down the right flank and cut back for Gudjonsen whose shinned effort blazed wide. Messi was through the middle twice inside a minute, bearing down on goal, but he clipped his first effort wide, while Heitinga remembered his job as a central defender and made a fine recovery tackle. It was a high point for the Dutchman on a night of new lows.

The one notable chance was unsurprisingly created by Aguero, who skipped past four Barcelona challenges and floated a ball to the far post, where Luis Garcia cut in, but his touch let him down. It could have been 10 goals for the Blaugrana, such was their dominance. While Barcelona were at their free-flowing best, they were aided by the ineptitude of the referee, who was unable to display who was on the receiving end of the numerous yellow cards he brandished.

This caused much confusion, with one of Ujfalusi or Lopez being on two yellow cards but still playing on the pitch. Another who was in the mood to confuse views was Javier Aguirre who started a centre back at right back and a full back in the middle. The Mexican then brought on a defensive midfielder with a penchant for the nightlife in Ever Banega for a frustrated Aguero. The midfielder made several dirty tackles with one elbow on Busquets revealing a unsporting side of the youngster.

Samuel Eto’o was brought off to a standing ovation, with £16.1m replacement Thierry Henry joining the part. But the Frenchman’s luck (or lack of) in Spain continued, as he lost possession easily with his first touch and then was unfortunate to be booked. Messi had one last part to play before he was taken off for Bojan. The diminutive playmaker controlled a pass at an awkward height, flicked the ball around his marker, and ran past him, before sliding in Gudjonsen, whose curled effort was caught by Coupet.

The Spanish tabloids will have no doubt made extra column inches for the Argentinean attacker’s performance. Despite a poor start, Henry received a spectacular lift. A wonderful, incisive passing move involving Xavi and Bojan set up the Frenchman to rifle home from the edge of the box. Bojan tried to get into the act but scuffed his shot wide. The most impressive showing was how the ‘full court pressing’ game continued throughout the ninety minutes with each player determined to make an impression.

Last season, Aguero embarrassed Barcelona scoring twice in a 4-2 victory. It was the crowning moment in a season in which the Argentine was named player of the season, having scored 19 goals and led Atletico back to the Champions League. This time Messi outshone his international strike partner and Barcelona stated their intentions for the rest of the season. Due to the fixtures, every side has to play the top four consecutively. Atletico at least have the Madrid derby to bounce back in. No? I didn’t think so. As we move into another mind numbing international break, Barcelona displayed a blueprint on how football should be played. It ended 6-1 to Barcelona.

Tomorrow Real Madrid plays Espanyol in the second game between the two cities. With Los Blancos in imperious form as well, could there be another goal fest? For this season so far, La Liga has had an edge in terms of entertainment over its rivals. Let us hope it continues.