Spanish midfielder Xavi Hernandez opened the score line in the 18th minute before Argentinean prodigy Messi scored a spectacular goal ten minutes later.

The 19-year-old winger collected the ball from his own half, skipped through two defenders and continued his march towards the opponents' area.

He sidestepped another two before entering the 18-yards box where he rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net, a carbonic copy of what Maradona did 21 years ago.

Considered one of the all-time football legends, the 46-year-old scored twice against England in the 1986 World Cup with the second coming after a wonderful solo effort.

Messi scored again just before halftime before Getafe narrowed the gap with two successive goals in the 57th and 59th minutes through Daniel Guiza and Nacho respectively.

But the Catalan giants killed off Getafe's hopes through two strikes from Eidur Gudjohnsen and Samuel Eto'o.