Messi at the double as Barca defeat Levante to remain top in Spain

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (R) fights for the ball with Levante's Jose Antonio Garcia "Verza" during their Spanish first division soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, September 20, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID -- Leo Messi was again the star as he set up the first goal, scored two himself and also found time to miss a penalty as FC Barcelona defeated Levante 4-1 to remain top of Spain's BBVA Primera Liga table.

Barca struggled to create chances in the first 45 minutes of the game, but found life a lot easier after Marc Bartra had put them in front just four minutes after halftime.

Luis Enrique produced a couple of surprises in his starting 11, aligning Sandro Ramirez and Munir, while giving a rest to Luis Enrique and Andres Iniesta.

That didn't stop the Catalans from clearly dominating the opening minutes of the game and seeing how Messi tested Levante's former Barca keeper, Ruben from the edge of the box, before sending a free kick inches wide.

On the whole though Barca found it tough to break down a packed Levante defense as the visitors looked to crowd their penalty area and play on the break

It wasn't until four minutes into the second half that Barca took the lead through an unexpected source when Bartra controlled a pass from Messi on his chest before firing the ball home in the 49th minute.

Shortly after it was 2-0 as Neymar scrambled the ball home following good work from Dani Alves on the right.

Messi made it 3-1 from the penalty spot before the hour after Neymar had been fouled and it looked to be a question of how many Barca would score, but an error from Ter Stegen gifted Victor Casadesus a goal in the 65th minute.

There was still time for Messi to miss another penalty for Barca with 15 minutes remaining, but he recovered to net his second of the night in the last minute of normal time to give Barca what was eventually a routine win and maintain their 100 percent record.