Real Madrid and Barcelona played out a 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
The hosts dominated much of the game and were rewarded when Mesut Ozil found space in the box to collect Karim Benzema's pass and slot home.
The European champions were level soon after when David Villa curled an effort from outside of the penalty area into Iker Casillas' top corner.
Pep Guardiola's men went ahead before the break when Lionel Messi showed characteristic upper body strength to shrug off two Madrid defenders before calmly putting his side in the lead.
Soon after half-time, the match was all square when Xabi Alonso was teed up by Pepe to fire low and hard past Victor Valdes.
The second leg takes place on Wednesday, August 17 at the Nou Camp.
Jack Prescott
