London – Lionel Messi inspired a return to form for Barcelona in a thrilling 4-2 win at Tottenham that leaves the English side with a mountain to climb to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
Spurs have now lost their opening two games in Group B to fall six points behind Barca and Inter Milan and were left to rue a slow start.
Philippe Coutinho put the visitors ahead inside two minutes before Ivan Rakitic’s spectacular volley doubled Barca’s lead before half-time.
Harry Kane and Erik Lamela twice reduced Spurs’ deficit, but Messi made the difference by scoring a double as the La Liga champions withstood a rousing finale from the hosts.
Messi means Champions League business
The Catalans’ domination of domestic matters in La Liga in recent years has been overshadowed by eternal rivals Real Madrid’s romp to three consecutive Champions League titles.
Barca set their stall out to end Real’s European reign before a ball was even kicked this season with Messi in his first statement as new club captain after the exit of Andres Iniesta promising to “bring this beautiful cup back home to the Camp Nou”.
On the site of two of Barca’s greatest ever triumphs where they won the European …read more