Barca wins without Messi

Lionel Messi once again watched from the sidelines and Barcelona’s attack struggled without him as the Spanish side drew 1-1 at Inter Milan in the Champions League yesterday despite dominating for large periods of the match.

The result nevertheless meant Barcelona became the first side to secure qualification for the knockout.

Messi had traveled with the team to Milan but Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde opted not to risk the star forward, who hasn’t played since fracturing his arm last month. The visitors still nearly managed to win the match when substitute Malcom netted with seven minutes remaining, moments after coming off the bench. But Inter has made a habit of scoring late goals and did so again as Mauro Icardi leveled in the 87th. . . .

Harry Kane boosted Tottenham’s chances of advancing from its Champions League group by scoring two late goals in a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven. . . .

Red Star Belgrade produced one of the biggest upsets of this season’s Champions League by beating Liverpool 2-0. Milan Pavkov scored in the 22nd and 29th minutes as the Serbian champions earned a first win in their debut appearance in the group stage. . . .

Christian Pulisic is scheduled to be back with the U.S. national team, while Michael Bradley was dropped again just a month after his return.

Entering what are likely his final matches in charge of the Americans, interim coach Dave Sarachan announced a 28-man roster for exhibitions at England on Nov. 15 and against Italy five days later at Genk, Belgium.