Barcelona Wins by Two and Internazionale Draw in Russia

FC Barcelona 2-0 Dynamo Kyiv

FC Barcelona ended FC Dynamo Kyiv's 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions as a goal in each half from Lionel Messi and Pedro Rodríguez secured a victory that took the UEFA Champions League holders top of Group F.

Tremendous battle
Although the visitors had their chances in an even first half, Messi put the home side in front in the 26th minute, crowning a characteristic run with a low shot, although Barça could not breathe easily until substitute Pedro – who also scored the decisive goal against Dynamo's great rivals FC Shakhtar Donetsk in last month's UEFA Super Cup – added a second 14 minutes from time. The match had been a wonderful competition between Zlatan Ibrahimović and Messi and Dynamo goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy with each taking turns to shine, although Dynamo depart ruing their inability to convert chances of their own.

Dynamo chances
By the time Messi broke the deadlock the holders could well have been behind. Hesitancy and errors provided Dynamo with a series of opportunities, the clearest of which came in the 20th minute. Yevgen Khacheridi's challenge prevented Victor Valdés clearing a corner, Artem Milevskiy cut the ball across the goal and while Daniel Alves scrambled it off the line, Ognjen Vukojević crashed in a goal-bound shot which deflected narrowly wide. With Oleh Gusev creating chaos down Dynamo's right wing, the uncertainty in the home defence was summed up as Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol collided twice in quick succession.

Messi magic
Even if they were below par, however, Barça were in the game. Andrés Iniesta had looked tentative on his first start since last season's final, but an early surge into the area brought a despairing diving tackle from Khacheridi while a Shovkovskiy leap and punch that prevented Ibrahimović heading in brought generous applause from the Swede. Having ridden out the Dynamo storm, Barça responded with the opening goal, Iniesta picking up possession and quickly realising the visiting defence was out of position. An angled pass found Messi's run and the Argentinian danced inside to fire a low left-foot shot that found the bottom corner with the aid of a slight deflection.

Shovkovskiy excels
Either side of the break the advantage might have been increased, Shovkovskiy producing a fine stop to block Messi after the forward raced through and reacting instantly to paw over Ibrahimović's acrobatic volley. Dynamo had threatened an equaliser when Vukojević's effort was ruled offside although Ibrahimović went close again only to direct a free header into the goalkeeper's arms. Messi was beginning to enjoy himself and nearly lobbed Shovkovskiy, Kacheridi intervening to head narrowly wide of his own goal.

Clinching second
Ibrahimović then unleashed a fizzing drive which Shovkovskiy did superbly to block to his left, yet the goalkeeper was finally beaten for a second time. Josep Guardiola had introduced both Pedro and Sergio Busquets and it was the former who sealed the win, collecting an Ibrahimović pass and darting inside Leandro Almeida to ensure Barça go into their double-header with FC Rubin Kazan in good heart. Dynamo next visit FC Internazionale Milano.


Rubin Kazan 1-1 Internazionale

FC Internazionale Milano had to hang on with ten men in the last half-hour to come away from FC Rubin Kazan with a Group F point.

Goal apiece
Kazan was staging its first UEFA Champions League fixture and within eleven minutes Alejandro Domínguez had struck in his tenth consecutive Rubin game. Dejan Stanković equalised as Inter responded well but after Mario Balotelli's dismissal they were forced to cling on to secure a second point, one more than Rubin.

Rubin ahead
Any thoughts the home team might sit back against such celebrated visitors were dispelled in the opening minute when the home side surged forward and earned a dangerous free-kick. The set-piece did not bear fruit but Rubin's intent was clear and the early pressure eventually told as Aleksandr Bukharov latched on to a through-pass and laid off to the on-rushing Domínguez. The Argentinian forward strode past Lucio and Walter Samuel before hammering an angled shot into the roof of Júlio César's net for his second goal in as many group games.

Eto'o denied
The Brazilian custodian made amends three minutes later, tipping the ball over the bar after Domínguez tested him from a free-kick. After Lucio volleyed just wide at the other end, Júlio César was grateful to see Rubin defender César Navas head over after being found unmarked at the far post by Domínguez. Inter then began to settle and Sergei Ryzhikov produced an incredible save after 21 minutes to stop Samuel Eto'o from point-blank range.

Equaliser
After a last-gasp interception denied Mancini, starting in place of the injured Diego Milito, it was clear Rubin were becoming stretched. But having paid for sitting back on a lead only to lose 3-1 at FC Dynamo Kyiv on Matchday 1, the home team kept pressing only to see their lead disappeared on 27 minutes when the unmarked Stanković headed in Maicon's cross. Ryzhikov had to tip Balotelli's cross-shot on to the bar as Inter continued to attack.

Home side respond
After the break Inter continued where they had left off, pegging Rubin back, but the Russian champions defended staunchly and soon the visitors began to drop back while the home side, urged on by a noisy crowd, gained in confidence. After Sergei Semak went close from 20 metres out, Rubin won a succession of corners but were unable to make them count.

Balotelli off
Inter were reduced to ten men on the hour when Balotelli was dismissed for a second booking after a foul on Christian Noboa. Soon Júlio César had to stretch himself to palm away Noboa's curling shot from distance before Bukharov miscued when put in perfect position by Gökdeniz Karadeniz's strong run into the box.

Semak hits post
The Rubin fans increased the volume and their players piled on the pressure. But they could not force the winner; Aleksandr Ryazantsev failing to place his shot when in the box, Bukharov heading just wide from Gökdeniz's cross and Semak hitting the post after a corner on 81 minutes. Nevertheless, with this performance they will be a threat at FC Barcelona on 20 October, when Inter, who brought on Patrick Vieira late on, will hope for a first group win at home to Dynamo.