Victor Valdes, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta did not make the trip to Andalusia, as Jose Pinto, Thiago and Alex Song were chosen to start in their stead.

All the early momentum belonged to Cordoba, with a powerful drive from Fede forcing Pinto into an acrobatic save, before Sebastian Dubarbier crossed towards the far post, where Pedro drilled just wide.

But Barca would survive the early test of its character, and began to hit back at the other end of the pitch. Thiago crashed a 20-yard half volley off the frame of the goal, and with 11 minutes gone, the Catalans would make the breakthrough.

With the Cordoba defense surrounding him, Pedro showed good awareness to pick out the unmarked David Villa on the left, who had ample time and space to square to the equally unmarked Messi for a tap-in from a few yards out.

The hosts thought they had equalized within minutes of the restart, but after Fede’s excellent cross was turned home by Vincenzo Renella, the linesman flagged for a narrow offside to chalk off the effort.

The home side saw another opportunity go begging two minutes into the second half, as Carlos Caballero took aim from the edge of the area, only to see Pinto make the save at his post.

The attacking momentum displayed by Cordoba in the first half was nowhere to be found, as Barca was able to control possession and play through the middle in its usual manner.

With 20 minutes to go, Messi seemed set to put the match beyond doubt after latching onto a brilliant through pass from Gerard Pique, but after being put in the clear, could not beat the onrushing Saizar with his finish.

But Messi would make no such mistake four minutes later, as he sprinted in unmarked at the far post to slide home after an incisive cross from substitute Alexis Sanchez to put the Catalans two goals ahead.

Saizar was called into action again late on to deny the Argentine his hat trick, but Barca had already done enough to seal the win, and will take two away goals into the second leg at Camp Nou on Jan. 9.

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