Xavi Hernandez started the scoring in the third and fellow midfielder Deco added his in the 12th and 62nd.

This helped the league champion to a 4-0 aggregate win over the Copa del Rey winner and earn its first silverware of the new season.

A header by Xavi off a cross from Ronaldinho put Barcelona ahead at Camp Nou stadium, and Deco extended the lead when he clipped home Juliano Belletti's low pass from the right.

Deco completed the victory by leaping and twisting at the far post, connecting with Belletti's cross from the right.

The victory was clouded by a protest by Espanyol, which has asked the Spanish soccer federation's appeals committee to void its 1-0 defeat in Thursday's first leg.

Espanyol is claiming that Xavi and Carles Puyol were ineligible because they were withdrawn from Spain's squad for a friendly against Iceland two days earlier.

FIFA rules require players who are summoned for national team duty but who miss the game for any reason must allow five days before they can play again.

Two of the European champion's offseason signings, striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and defender Lilian Thuram, appeared as halftime substitutes to make their club debuts.

The third of Barcelona's newcomers, Gianluca Zambrotta, played the final minutes of Thursday's game.

Barcelona will try to add another trophy when it competes for the European Supercup against UEFA Cup champion Sevilla in Monaco on Friday.

The team kicks off its Spanish league campaign with a visit to Celta Vigo the following Monday.

Last night's victory was marred by Samuel Eto'o, who stormed out of the stadium after he was substituted for Eidur Gudjohnsen by Rijkaard.

Afterwards, the Dutch coach said: "After a game, it is better not to speak of these things. Samuel has not had a good moment and tomorrow we will speak.

"These are moments of many emotions and it is better to let a night pass before speaking about it.

"One can leave, or one can hide on the field."

However, despite his barb, Rijkaard praised Eto'o: "He worked for the team.

"The truth is that I do not have any doubts about him, nor any complaints in terms of his game."