Barca beat Gijon 3-0

The Sweden striker dived full length to nod in a deflected Daniel Alves cross in the 82nd minute after teenage striker Bojan Krkic and Mali international Seydou Keita had put the European champions 2-0 ahead at the break.

With Argentina forward Lionel Messi on international duty, coach Pep Guardiola started with Pedro Rodriguez on the right wing, Ibrahimovic at centre forward and Krkic on the left.

The 19-year-old popped up to nod in at the back post in the 18th minute after Keita flicked on Xavi's corner and Keita doubled the lead just before halftime when he headed home an Alves cross.

The match had been put back due to Barca's European Super Cup match against Shakhtar Donetsk in Monaco on Friday, which they won 1-0.

In weekend matches, World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty to help Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid beat Deportivo Coruna 3-2 at the Bernabeu.

Atletico Madrid were humbled 3-0 at Malaga, Valencia beat visiting Sevilla 2-0, and Villarreal surrendered the lead to draw 1-1 at Osasuna.