Barcelona: Lionel Messi scored two late goals on Wednesday to give Barcelona a 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow and start the Spanish team's bid for a fourth Champions League title in eight seasons on high.
Cristian Tello opened the scoring after 14 minutes, but the home side were pegged back just before the half-hour mark by an own goal from Dani Alves from a Spartak break. Romulo stunned the home crowd into silence when he gave the visitors a shock lead in the 59th minute.
But Messi popped up with two close-range strikes in the 72nd and 80th minutes to put the Catalans back in the lead for good, though question marks remain after they were given a run for their money by the determined side from Russia.
Tito Vilanova opted for Cesc Fabregas in midfield, while Adriano filled in at left-back in the absence of regular starter Jordi Alba. Tello was also handed a chance to impress with a start in the Barca front three, and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands with the opening goal after 14 minutes.
Barca, despite dominating possession, found it hard to find a route through to goal in the face of a determined rearguard effort from the Russian side, but they managed to edge past the spirited away side.
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