Barcelona climbed to second in the Primera Liga after crushing Recreativo Huelva 3-0 at home on Saturday. Frank Rijkaard had called on his team to produce a winning performance, and came up trumps.

Much has been said of Barcelona's recent form but they put Recreativo to the sword to put these troubled days behind them.

Argentina defender Gabriel Milito broke the deadlock six minutes past the hour mark when he superbly headed a corner into the back of the net.

Youngster Bojan Krkic added the second two minutes later after he controlled Thierry Henry's low cross and tricked his marker before slotting a low shot home.

Argentinean sensation Lionel Messi, who was unlucky not to score earlier in the game, put the icing on the cake nine minutes from time after converting a penalty.

The Catalans became second in the league table with 27 points, one adrift of leaders Real Madrid, who play Real Murcia later on Saturday.