Barca had lost on their three previous league visits to Atletico's home but they deservedly earned all three points on this occasion thanks to first-half goals from Messi and Gerard Pique.

Atletico had managed to equalise through Raul Garcia but they could have few complaints about the result and finished the game with 10 men when defender Tomas Ujfalusi was sent off late on following a challenge on Messi.

Messi will undergo more tests tomorrow to determine the full extent of the injury but, according to the Barca website, the first examinations of the Argentinian's ankle showed just ligament damage.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola said after the match: "He'll be having more tests tomorrow, but in principle a break has been ruled out.

"He's injured and the doctors will tell us how he is. Let's hope the first diagnosis is correct and we can help get him fit again. He's very sad and in tears. These things happen in football."

Ten-man Valencia continued their flawless start to the new season with a 2-1 win at promoted side Hercules to ensure they remained the only club in the league with a 100% record.

Juan Mata gave Valencia the lead after just two minutes and Pablo Hernandez added a second halfway through the first half.

But Hercules, fresh from their surprise 2-0 success at the Nou Camp last weekend, hit back through a David Trezeguet penalty and would have hoped for a point after Valencia captain David Navarro was sent off just four minutes into the second half.

A header from Martin Caceres just before half-time gave Sevilla a 2-1 victory at Malaga in their Andalusian derby.

The Uruguay defender - signed from Barcelona on loan late last month - scored from a free-kick to propel his side to second place in the table after three rounds of matches.

Malaga had earlier taken the lead through Jose Rondon, but the home side were pegged back just five minutes later as Alejandro Alfaro levelled.

Nilmar was the inspiration as Villarreal sealed a second successive win, winning 2-1 to condemn promoted outfit Levante to a third consecutive top-flight defeat.

The Brazilian striker scored both goals as the Yellow Submarine cruised into a two-goal lead, and Levante never looked likely to get back in it, despite a last-minute strike from Felipe Caicedo.

Racing Santander claimed their first win of the season thanks to a 2-0 success at home to Real Zaragoza, but the Cantabrians benefited from a dubious refereeing decision which denied the visitors the lead at a crucial stage of the match.

Gabi's 72nd-minute strike was chalked off for an alleged foul by Ander Herrera, although replays indicated there was no infringement.

Racing went ahead just four minutes later through a header from Brazilian defender Henrique and they sealed victory in the last minute when Argentinian striker Ariel Nahuelpan slotted home following Manuel Arana's cross.