Lionel Messi scored his 113th Champions League goal which makes him the first player to score in 15 consecutive UCL seasons as Barcelona beat Slavia Prague 2-1 to tighten their grip on Group F.
Match Report
Barcelona escaped from a sloppy display against Slavia Prague thanks to Lionel Messi's early strike and Peter Olayinka's own goal.
Messi's third-minute goal saw him become the first player to score in the Champions League in 15 consecutive seasons, but it did not pave the way for a convincing performance from Ernesto Valverde's side.
Indeed, Barca relied on a huge slice of luck to retake the lead following Jan Boril's equaliser, with Peter Olayinka deflecting in Luis Suarez's effort from a Messi free-kick.
Though Suarez and Messi subsequently squandered gilt-edged chances to wrap up the points, Olayinka's own goal proved enough to take the wind out of Slavia's sails as Barca moved three points clear at the top of the group.
Group Standings
Match Events
3' GOAL! Slavia Praha 0-1 Barcelona (Messi)
MESSI!! 1-0 BARCELONA! The perfect start for Barca, who pounce on sloppy play from Slavia just outside their own area. Having initially played the ball to Arthur, Messi receives the return pass before neatly steering past a helpless Kolar.
20' Unbelievable save from Ter Stegen!
What a save by Ter Stegen! The Barcelona keeper produces terrific reflexes to deny Zeleny's first-time shot following a neat move by the hosts.
38' Great saves from Ter Stegen
GOOD SAVES! Seconds after holding onto a shot from Masopust, Ter Stegen does brilliantly to tip away Olayinka's effort.
50' GOAL! Slavia Praha 1-1 Barcelona (Boril)
EQUALISER!!! BORIL MAKES IT 1-1! Slavia are level and it is courtesy of a very unlikely source! The hosts continue to threaten the Barca defence and Masopust neatly lays the ball into the path of Boril, who pokes a powerful effort beyond a helpless Ter Stegen.
57' OWN GOAL! Slavia Praha 1-2 Barcelona (Olayinka)
OWN GOAL! BARCELONA LEAD 2-1! The stadium is silenced as Messi's deep free-kick finds Suarez, whose attempted cross deflects past Kolar off the helpless Olayinka.
75' WHAT A MISS! Messi wastes a golden opportunity
WHAT A MISS! A real collector's item as Messi misses from inside the six-yard box. The ball is put on a plate for him by Alba, who cushioned Busquets' diagonal ball neatly into his path, but he does not connect properly and the chance goes begging.
Desmondeyum
7442
Barcelona second highest Champions League scorer ( own goal) has scored again
Sanket Gautam
2841
Feeling bad for this man ! They put up an amazing performance against mighty Barca and won millions 9f heart !
komosky
1827
slavia showed why they came to UCL
Sahabonasir
1759
Barcelona won the game but Slavia praha won our hearts
AnmolRathi28
1197
This is the worst ever I have seen messi play...so many loose balls and missing easy chances...I am sure he'll come strong..visca barca
Tobenguzman
791
Please which team Antoine Griezmann played for tonight?
Desmondeyum
454
At this point... Messi's friendship and over generosity to Suarez is becoming a problem for Barcelona.
educate
438
GIF GIF GIF!: http://www.goalgif.club/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=52934617&language=en
leofrankid12
393
1-70 mins normal match🤭🤭 71-95 mins do or die affair[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
U.S.A3052497
384
Wow what a match! Barcalona is very lucky with the own goal! Because they were strong! They were better then barcalona! I miss the old Barcalona, when they kill small teams like this with 5-0!
Desmondeyum
346
Best goalscorers for Barcelona in Champions League since 2017/18: 19 Lionel Messi 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 Own goals 6 5 4 Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele
BornToPlay6024
316
I hate Messi now.. he is not doing good with the team I'm telling you.. he never links up with Griezmann.. so many times Griezmann is in a better scoring position but no.. Messi chooses to show his magic.. I know he is the goat but he does miss many times.. because of these things we Barca fans start talking rubbish about Griezmann and will cry to sell him in the next window... Nobody accepts that Messi has some flaws that are not good for the team..
AG7F
45
Pepe: My miss was the worst Hazard: No! mine was worse Messi ''Hold My Beer'' 🤙🏻
mformanoz
33
"NO TACTIC IS THE NEW TACTIC" Ernesto 'Txinguri' Valverde. 23/10/2019
Adityaraj18
20
I am a barca fan but i think this was an undeserved win for us
VanishPrasad
19
Valverdes substitutions are the same every game. Griezmann for Dembele. Busquets for Vidal. Arthur for Rakitic. But sub off Suarez who's been playing like a gutter all game? Noooooo we don't do that here.
VanishPrasad
12
Salute to Salvia for putting up a fine performance. They won our heart and they are infact unlucky to be placed in the pool of death.
Ngpksster
11
This might be Barca's year. Good side, but luck favours them as well. by that, i am not saying the players didn't performed well. But UEFA you always get surprising teams. My point is they had won both matches against both Inter and Slavia Prague,but it wasn't that easy. But wins a win. They are a very good side, a proven champion and winning games this way is little bit of luck with more hard work. But, credit to Slavia Prague, i personally thought them as a scapegoat but being in such a tough group,i would advice all the interested football fans to give them a round of applause. 1-2 score against Barca is not very bad at all.
Aneesh20
11
Well, where to start?? What a heck of a night!!!! Slavia Praha gave all they had..... The atmosphere in there home stadium was outstanding... Totally out of this world ... The players didn't give up till the last minute.... The last 10 mins were deadly, and it could seriously be argued about who was the better side.... Well, if it was not for missed chances, Slavia Praha, could have easily just finished the game..... And even same goes for Barca... Messi did manage to get a goal, but u always expect more from him.... He missed two great chances in the second half, and could have made a game set pass.... Anyways really happy for Slavia Praha, they showed what they got in them, and hats off to their supporters. Hope the result will change in the return fixrure
shameeAshra
10
surely the win isn't deserved. Football is becoming very competitive. Transition of era. Modern football. Young lads. Awesome supporters. passion. No one in the Barça team deserved to wear the shirt. Every team in Europe used to fear Barça once. Now we are panicking each and every time in away games. Because coach isn't ready to substitute Suarez in second half because he is tired. Messi not at his best made too many poor decisions. Griezmann barely seen due to his positional problems. Semedo is playing the right back position just to save his spot. Sloppy pique. Arthur made too many unforced errors. Rakitic plays like he will leave to inter in winter anyway. Ter Stegan saved us from the embarrassment. Frenkie was consistent. I'm a die hard fan of Messi. To be honest, he isn't running as he used to. I know he is aging. Then substitution is the key for optimal performance. We need forwards to track back sometimes.