IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Soccer

Messi leads Barca to record start

Champion Barcelona made it seven wins out of seven in La Liga, setting a club record start to a campaign, with a 2-0 victory at promoted Almeria on Saturday. World Player of the Year Lionel Messi struck the opener after 21 minutes with a wonderful solo effort but was forced to leave the pitch soon after with a hamstring problem in his right thigh. Brazil fullback Adriano added a second goal in the 56th minute to help move Barca on to 21 points.