Barcelona the star performers

FC Barcelona were the star performers of the three Spanish UEFA Champions League clubs in action on Saturday night, brushing aside RC Recreativo de Huelva as Sevilla FC lost and Real Madrid CF drew.

Ronaldinho out
Barcelona were without Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho, who had pulled out with fatigue, and a cutting edge early on as they struggled to break down a well-organised Recreativo until Gabriel Milito headed the opener from a corner in the 64th minute. Two minutes later, Xavi Hernández's deep cross was laid back into the centre by Thierry Henry for 17-year-old substitute Bojan Krkić to score the second.

Messi penalty
The visitors had only scored once in their previous seven games and were unable to react. They pulled down Messi for a penalty eight minutes from time, and the Argentina forward calmly slotted it away. Barça climbed to second in the standings level on 27 points with Villarreal CF, who tackle UD Almería on Sunday.

Headed goals
Madrid stay top, with 29 points, despite relinquishing a lead at Real Murcia CF. The champions went ahead in the ninth minute following a flowing move which ended with Guti chipping a lovely pass across goal for Robinho who raced in at the far post to nod the ball in. That was about as good as it got for Bernd Schuster's side, however, as Enrique De Lucas levelled with a special header of his own four minutes after the break. Guti was dismissed in the 83rd minute.

Mallorca surprise
In the day's other game, RCD Mallorca surprised Sevilla in Andalusia winning 2-1 thanks to superb first-half goals from Ariel Ibagaza and Fernando Varela. Sevilla pulled one back after the break from the head of Frédéric Kanouté, but they were unable to complete the comeback despite Mallorca finishing with ten men. Mallorca moved up to eighth with 19 points, while Sevilla stayed tenth.