Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick for FC Barcelona as they cruised to a comfortable victory against Levante in the Ciutat de Valencia on Saturday evening.
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The French star rediscovered his touch in front of goal and made Abel Resino's side pay the price with a convincing display in which Leo Messi also hit his fifth of the current campaign.
After failing to find the net in the opening five league encounters, Henry showed the form that made him such a hero at Arsenal as Levante were swept aside with three clinical finishes.
Barça took their time finding their rhythm, but once they did Levante had no reply and struggled to cope with the speed and technique shown by their guests.
Without detracting from Rijkaard's team's performance, the home side were poor and it was easy to see why they have only obtained one point so far this term as Víctor Valdés was rarely troubled throughout.
After taking control of the midfield, the Blaugrana took the lead in the 17th minute with their first incisive attack of the match.
Xavi headed a clearance back into the area from a corner, Messi's first time shot was saved by Marco Storari but the ball fell kindly for Henry who was left with the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net.
Rather than see the goal as a setback, Levante appeared to be spurred into action and Mustapha Riga sent a powerful drive wide of the goal from 20 yards out.
But Barça showed how it was done as they added a second in the 24th minute as Messi slid a pass through to Henry, who controlled the ball on the left-hand edge of the area and stroked it across the keeper and into the far corner in trademark style.
With few problems at the other end the visitors were able to dictate the play and pick their passes as Levante chased and harried.
Just after the half-hour mark Messi cut in from the right and after skipping past two players fired a shot just over Marco Storari's crossbar.
Henry broke down the left in the final meaningful Barça attack of the half, but his attempted cross from the by-line was palmed away by the keeper.
The scoreline did not stay the same for long after the break, hwoever as the away team added a third goal to their tally just three minutes after the restart.
Deco's through ball was deflected into the Henry's path and after edging forward the French international rifled his shot inside the near post before wheeling away to celebrate.
If Levante were not reeling, they were to suffer even further just two minutes later when Messi received the ball down the right and, after breezing past Bruno Cirillo, fired his shot across the keeper and into the far side of the net.
The game was well and truly over as a contest and Rijkaard was able to withdraw Messi with one eye on the Champions League game against VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday.
Levante were able to restore some pride after Carles Puyol, who came on at half-time for his first appearance of the season, fouled Alexandre Geijo in the area and Emilio Viqueira stroked home the resulting spot kick.
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