It wasn't as safe as they would have liked it but Barcelona did what everyone expected them to. And Lionel Messi continued to be the player everyone expects him to be after scoring two goals in Barcelona's 3-2 victory over Spartak Moscow.
The Russians are probably devastated after they played a tremendous match in which they shut down the potent Barcelona offense and kept the superstar Argentine at bay for most of the game. But the superior team eventually found a way to win.
Cristian Tello got things started in the 13th minute as he blasted a shot into the net from outside the box to give Barca a 1-0 win. Up to that point, Spartak had done little in the way of creating chances but struck some luck in 29th minute when Emmanuel Emenike crossed the ball into the Barcelona box. The ball was met there by Dani Alves who one timed it into his own net to knot the score at one. And it would enter half time with Barcelona stunned.
But it wouldn't get better for the Spaniards as Romulo gave Moscow the lead at the 58 minute mark with a finish off a deadly counter attack. Barcelona responded ferociously with aggressive attacks and eventually found the net in the 71st minute as Tello who tied up Messi for an easy tap in. Then nine minutes later, Alexis Sanchez threw a tremendous cross toward Messi and he headed it in to give his squad a 3-2 victory.
The win was scary as Barcelona was susceptible to counterattacks and had a hard time penetrating Spartak. But they also suffered the loss of Gerard Pique in the 12 minute as the injuries continue to escalate for Barca.
In the other match of the group Celtic and Benfica drew 0-0 to give Barcelona sole possession of first place in the group.