Barcelona make a winning start to the post-Messi era. They were given a scare late-on, of course it wasn't going to be that simple, but they start the season with a win. 

A weakened Sociedad did well to battle back into the game after going 3-0 down to a free-flowing Catalan side, with new boy Memphis Depay impressing. 

All of Sociedad's work is for nothing, as Barca strike on the counter-attack to seize back control of this match. 

The hosts break after another searching Sociedad attack, with Braithwaite stretching his legs to get to the byling. 

From the edge of the box the Dane gets in behind the defence and flashes a low ball across the box for Sergi Roberto to tap in. 

We enter five minutes of stoppage-time at the Nou Camp with Sociedad pushing for an equaliser. 

Koeman makes another change, with Lenglet replacing Depay for the final minutes. 

What a turnaround! Three minutes ago Sociedad were down and out, now they're a goal away from levelling with five minutes to go. 

Nicolas Iglesias replaced Garcia at the back, and gives away a clumsy foul on the edge of the box which earns a yellow. Oyarzabal stands over it and wraps it wonderfully into the top corner. 

Here we go... 

Sociedad fire one back almost from nowhere, with Barcelona looking to have switched-off here. 

Ander Barrenetxea is able to dance through several Barca players towards the edge of the box, sliding Cienfuegos through to fire past Neto. Game on? 

Julen Lobete Cienfuegos goes through the back of star Barca signing Depay, treading on the  Dutchman's heel. 

Depay looked in pain but has returned to his feet now. As can happen in LaLiga, this game is being stifled by Barca now as Sociedad appear to have accepted their fate. 

Ronald Koeman has made some substitutions as we head into the final 20 minutes, with Frenkie de Jone departing for Sergi Roberto. 

Emerson also replaces Dest, with this game looking to be wrapped-up. 

Portu and Joseba Zaldua make way for Andoni Gorosabel and Julen Lobete Cienfuegos. 

Barcelona are clear and cruising in this one, as Martin Braithwaite bags a double. 

The hosts take a free-kick quickly, as Depay flicks a clever ball through for Alba to run onto. The Spanaird reaches the byline, crossing too close to Remiro. The keeper can only parry back into Brathwaite's path, and the striker smashes home from close-range. 

Sociedad have improved drastically since the break, with Oyarzabal involved at the heart of it. 

Three half-chances come and go with Bautista steering the last one well wide. Could Barca allow their depleted visitors back into this?

Two changes at the break for the visitors, and it's two of their key players making way. 

It could be that Sociedad are on damage-limitation mode now, looking to rest their key stars. Ander Barrenetxea and Jon Bautista come on.  

Pedri slides Jordi Alba clean through on goal, with the left-back using his electric pace to burn away from Sociedad's back-line. 

He unbelievably put it wide one-on-one, but had made his run early anyway. 

Back underway, a massive improvement needed for any kind of Sociedad comeback. 

The hosts go in ahead at the break. A home defeat in the opening game, days after Lionel Messi's departure, wasn't an option. So far the Barca players are stepping up in his absence. 

New signing Depay assisted Pique's headed opener, before De Jong chipped-in a cross for Braithwaite to nod in in first-half injury-time. 

Crucial goal for Barcelona as they double the lead over Sociedad, who allowed this goal through a string of errors. 

De Jong nicks the ball from Januzaj who claims he's being held back. The referee doesn't stop play but Sociedad do, switching-off to allow the midfielder to chip a cross into the box. 

Braithwaite is arriving at the back post, and nods in from close-range to start the season with a goal. 

A handball is called just outside the box and the referee hands Barcelona a free-kick. 

Depay stands over it against and... it's a total waste. Depay looks to play it short to Pedri and messes-up the pass, allowing Sociedad to break. 

The Dutchman makes up for his error by chasing back and slowing down the visitors' move. 

The hosts very much on top and in control, as they look to consolidate their lead and go into the break ahead. 

Sociedad haven't threatened much at all, as Barcelona break from a poor corner. 

Martin Zubimendi goes in roughly on Pedri and earns a yellow card, the second time the youngster has limped away from a challenge. 

He might be just 18, but he's handling senior football well. 

Barcelona have been chanting Lionel Messi's name during the early stages of this game, mourning the exit of their club's greatest ever player. 

Remiro has to make a key stop as Braithwaite crosses to new signing Depay. 

The former Lyon man stabs it towards goal but the keeper manages to stop it. 

That's a crucial goal for Barcelona in this sensitive time, scored by the man who made sure his assister could register for the club. 

Gerard Pique agreed a wage cut in the wake of Messi's departure so that Depay and Eric Garcia could sign. It was the latter who crossed in the free-kick for the big Spaniard to head in unchallenged. 

A rare reason for Barca fans to smile right now.  

Real Sociedad are trying to push back after Barcelona's early dominance but they can't get far with the hosts' high pressing. 

The Basques break out for a rare move as Oyarzabal crosses to Januzaj but its too high. 

Barcelona's dominance can't be broken by Sociedad, getting corner after corner now. 

Depay plays the corner short on his debut, before he plays it further back to Pedri. The Spaniard tees-up Alba, whose cross is dangerous in towards the penalty spot. 

Griezmann tries an acrobatic overhead kick and it's a wonderful attempt, hooking the ball just outside the post. 

Barcelona might be going into a new era but their dominant possession football remains, with the hosts passing around the Basques so far. 

Dest has found space on the right and cut in twice, but Barca haven't found a final ball yet. 

Pedri is being touted as the man to bring Barcelona into it's post-Messi era at just 18-years-old after a superb Euro 2020. 

Barcelona have granted LaLiga debuts to Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay tonight, with the centre-back partnered by the man who took a pay-cut to ensure the crumbling club could register them, Gerard Pique. 

The other man who has Pique to thank, new signing Rey Manaj, is on the bench. Euro 2020 breakout star Pedri starts, with Martin Braithwaite also back in the team after a strong summer. Ter Stegen is out injured, so Neto is in goal. 

Soceidad's squad are struggling coming into the season. They lack a recognised striker to pick from, with Alexander Isak and his backup Carlos Fernandez are on the sidelines. The Basques start with David Silva and Oyarzabal their most advanced players. 

Former Arsenal loanee Mat Ryan has signed for the club but has undergone surgery. 

There is a historic omission from Barcelona's team-sheet tonight. Lionel Messi will not feature for Barcelona in a LaLiga season for the first time since 2003-04. 

The Argentine icon has completed a move to PSG, having been forced to leave his boyhood club despite agreeing a massive pay cut - with Barca's finances in ruins. 

Ronald Koeman will have to find another way to win, as the crutch Barcelona have lent on for the best part of two decades it taken away. 

Good evening and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of the LaLiga season kick-off for Barcelona and Real Soceidad. 

The Catalans are coming into the season rocked by the departure of Lionel Messi, but they're set to give Memphis Depay his debut tonight. Soceidad are depleted, with the likes of Isak unavailable for this one. 

Stay tuned right here for all the build-up and lived match updates from TOBY MILES.