Despite seeing Mascherano sent off before half-time, Luis Enrique began his career as Barça coach with a routine win in which Lionel Messi sparkled

Lionel Messi scored twice for Barcelona in an effortless win at Camp Nou. Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images

Full-time

Well, that was ridiculously easy for Barça. I shudder to think what would have happened to Elche if Neymar and Suárez had started alongside Messi. Elche were toothless. They had no shots on goal even though they had a man advantage for 45 minutes. That was no more than an extension of pre-season for the home team really. Barça will have learned very little but they will have got fitter, what running around with 10 men for half the match. Anyway, thanks for your emails. Bye.

Updated at 9.55pm BST

2h ago21:51

90+3 min: Messi is denied a hat-trick by a last-ditch tackle and peep! That’s your lot.

Updated at 9.51pm BST

2h ago21:49

90+1 min: An email: “My ex girlfriend’s mother was a witch, didn’t play poker we played Pontoon and she was always the dealer cos her house her rules,” writes John Mc Enerney. “Won a little lost a bit but I was the real winner cos I no longer have any contact with her or her daughter but I’m sure she can see me in her crystal ball & one day she’ll scramble her army of flying monkeys to get me!” 

2h ago21:48

90 min: There’ll be three more minutes of this walk in the park for Barça. Elche are down to 10 men now too. Jonathas has knacked an ankle and Elche have used up their subs. 

2h ago21:47

87 min: Barça fans chant Luis Enrique’s name. This has been a decent first outing for the new coach. Messi has looked surprisingly fresh, his youngsters have impressed, and his side have reacted very well to being reduced to 10 men. That defence though? Vermaelen may well look like Baresi among that lot. 

2h ago21:43

84 min: “One thing that has really disappointed me about Barcelona’s pre-season is the shipping off of Deulofeu on loan. The lad’s the future of football!’ harrumphs Philip Podolsky. Barcelona’s bench is a pick-and-mix of the future of football, Philip. 

2h ago21:41

82 min: Pedro is sent shuffling up the left wing. He works enough space to whip a cross in but it’s a 3/10 effort and cleared easily.

Updated at 10.11pm BST

2h ago21:40

78 min: A couple of hundred Elche fans are sat in the heavens at Camp Nou wondering whether their team has even played as many passes as they have brought supporters. I’d say it’s close.Barcelona are knocking the ball around midfield accurately but with very little purpose, happy to wait for the right moment to spring the killer pass.

2h ago21:36

77 min: A substitute. Iniesta, Barça’s captain tonight, is replaced by Sergi Roberto. Meanwhile, JR in Illinois writes: “Here in the U.S. one of the announcers is (the borderline insane) Ray Hudson. After the last goal he compared Messi to a poker player, then said Messi was like a witch, then said playing against him is like playing poker with a witch ‘because you know you’re going to lose.’ Earlier he also said someone on Barcelona was “’as cool as a polar bear’s backside’.” Readers, have you ever played poker with a witch? Did any of you win?

2h ago21:34

75 min: Rakitic may end up being Barça’s metronomic replacement for Xavi, but more in the mould of Alonso. He has played some very accurate long passes tonight, as well as doing the short and sweet stuff economically too.