Messi double seals Super Cup triumph

The Argentine World Player of the Year capped another marvellous performance, after scoring one and setting up another in the first leg, with an unstoppable volley to claim the first silverware of the season before the trouble erupted.

Tempers boiled over on the touchline after debutant Cesc Fabregas was hacked down by Marcelo and the Brazilian defender, Mesut Ozil of Real and Barca's David Villa were all dismissed.

"The players have made a super-human effort because we were missing some and those we had were far from their best form," Barca coach Guardiola said.

"Messi isn't at his best level... we have to congratulate the players for their efforts and character."

The visitors pushed up on Barca from the start and Ronaldo stung Victor Valdes's hands inside the first minute as they harried and hustled their hosts all over the pitch.

The Spanish international dinked the ball past the advancing Iker Casillas to open the scoring, but Real quickly levelled when Barca struggled to clear a corner and Karim Benzema's shot was diverted in by Ronaldo.

"If we said we were happy when we hadn't won a title we would be hypocrites," the Portuguese said.

"It's a small title, but we aren't happy we didn't win it. What we are happy with is the evolution of the team. We did very well in both games. We w