SANTANDER, Sep 17 (SW) - Barcelona made it three wins from three to start the La Liga season as they saw off Racing Santander 3-0 at El Sardinero on Sunday.

Racing started out far the brighter of the two sides, hitting the post twice in the first 11 minutes when Rubén and Melo, but it was the champions who struck the first blow.

With 18 minutes played, Samuel Eto'o fired in a shot from distance that skipped and went between the legs of Racing goalkeeper Toño.

Lionel Messi fired just wide in his bid to make it 2-0 in the 40th minute and Ronaldinho had two chances just after the interval but was denied by Toño.

Nikola Zigic then made a bid to give Racing an equalizer in the 58th minute as the lanky striker hit a header toward the goal of Víctor Valdés, only to see it pass by.

Toño was then called on with 20 minutes to go to keep Racing in the match as he made a fantastic save to keep Ronaldinho out of the net.

Then, with six minutes left to play, Ludovic Giuly sealed the victory with an amazing individual effort after beating two Racing defenders, and Ronaldinho picked up the third in injury time from the penalty spot.