Post-Messi: Barcelona defeat Sociedad in six-goal thriller (Match Highlights)

Barcelona 4-2 Real Sociedad: Barcelona defeat Real Sociedad as life without Messi begins at Camp Nou

Barcelona won their first La Liga game without Lionel Messi, defeating Real Sociedad in a thrilling match.

Gerard Pique gave Barcelona the lead with a terrific header from Memphis Depay's free-kick, .

Martin Braithwaite scored two goals to become the first Danish player to score a La Liga brace.

Julen Lobete and Mikel Oyarzabal gave Real Sociedad a 3-2 lead, but Sergi Roberto added a fourth for Barcelona in injury time.

After agreeing to cut his pay earlier in the week so the club could register three new recruits in time for the new season, it was only right that Pique scored Barca's first goal of the season.

After joining Paris St-Germain on a two-year agreement earlier in the week, many of the 22,000 Barcelona fans wore Messi shirts to the Nou Camp and cheered for their record striker in the 10th minute.

New recruit Sergio Aguero, who has been sidelined for ten weeks due to a calf injury, sat on the bench.

In other La Liga matches, defending champions Atletico Madrid defeated Celta Vigo 2-1, while city rivals Real Madrid defeated Alaves 4-1 in their season opener on Saturday.

Barcelona 4-2 Real Sociedad: Watch the full match highlights