Messi masterpiece condemns Spurs
London: Lionel Messi produced a Wembley masterpiece to condemn Tottenham 4-2 to their second successive Champions League defeat as they were beaten by Barcelona at Wembley.
Messi was the magnificent orchestrator behind a superb attacking display from the Catalans that eventually proved too much for spirited Spurs, who also lost their opening Group B game to Inter Milan in Italy.
Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris, back from injury, gifted Philippe Coutinho Barcelona’s opener inside two minutes with a reckless dash from goal before Ivan Rakitic put them further in control before half-time with a spectacular 20-yard strike.
Messi hit the post twice before Harry Kane gave Spurs hope with a clever low finish before the Argentine superstar slid home from close range to restore Barcelona’s advantage.
Erik Lamela’s deflected effort set up a grandstand finish but it was fitting that the peerless Messi had the final word with a simple strike after Luis Suarez’s brilliant dummy.
The defeat leaves Mauricio Pochettino’s side third in the group, six points behind leaders Barcelona and second-placed Inter Milan and facing a difficult task to progress to the knockout stages.
RESULTS
PSG 6-1 Red Star Belgrade, Lokomotiv Moscow 0-1 Schalke, Atl Madrid 3-1 Club Brugge, Tottenham 2-4 Barcelona, Napoli 1-0 Liverpool, B Dortmund 3-0 Monaco, PSV Eindhoven 1-2 Inter Milan, FC Porto 1-0 Galatasaray.