Barcelona 5-0 Elche

Messi scored his 27th goal of the season from the penalty spot

Lionel Messi and Neymar returned as Barcelona ended a turbulent few days with a 5-0 thrashing of Elche in the Copa del Rey.

The pair were rested for Sunday's loss at David Moyes's Real Sociedad, and it was Neymar who opened the scoring after being set up by Luis Suarez.

Suarez's low shot and a Lionel Messi penalty ensured a 3-0 interval lead.

And Jordi Alba's composed finish and a fierce Neymar drive confirmed the win in the first leg of the last 16 tie.

Barcelona will meet either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, unless Elche produce something incredible in next Thursday's second leg.

Victory may ease the pressure on coach Luis Enrique after reports he had fallen out with Messi and that his job was at risk after sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was sacked.