Lionel Messi scored two and had a hand in two other goals as Barcelona rebounded from its weekend loss to Hercules with an emphatic 5-1 thrashing of Greek club Panathanaikos on Tuesday at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona actually fell behind early courtesy of a Sidney Gouvou goal, but the Spanish club rebounded quickly and steam-rolled the Greeks behind an inspired performance from Messi, who came within a missed penalty kick of a hat-trick.
Barcelona was the only powerhouse to record a win, with defending champions Inter and English power Manchester United settling for ties. Maurice Edu played all 90 minutes as Rangers held Manchester United to a 0-0 tie at Old Trafford.
Jermaine Jones wasn't so lucky. He played 70 minutes as his Schalke 04 dropped a 1-0 decision to Lyon.
Here is a rundown of today's UEFA Champions League scores:
TUESDAY UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCORES
FC Twente 2, Inter Milan 2
Werder Bremen 2, Tottenham 2
Barcelona 5, Panathanaikos 1
Manchester United 0, Rangers 0
Lyon 1, Schalke 04 0
Benfica 2, Hapoel Tel-Aviv 0
Bursaspor 0, Valencia 4
FC Copenhagen 1, Rubin Kazan 0
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What did you think of Tuesday's matches? Impressed with Edu's performance? Think Messi is ready for an even better season than last season? Worried about Manchester United?
Share your thoughts below.
I agree. After watching the game last night on delay, I’m nowt thinking the best USA lineup is a 4-3-2-1
Back four
Edu – Jones – Bradley
Holden – Donovan
Dempsey
That is also a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-2-2. Playing for a 1-0 win.. gotta maximize the talent in the pool.
i can. thrashed panath though.
Cised for our boy Edu going the full 90 at the theatre of dreams. Welcome to the big show. I am also fairly impressed with Tottenham’s result in Germany. I didn’t watch the game, but 1 point is better than 0 points away from home in the Champions League. Barcelona had to use this opening match as a statement and they did. I don’t see how they can lose this competition.
I wish Valencia a full and quick recovery poor guy.
messi needs to grow back the hair…this look is awful
I thought he played very well. He kept possession, made quick, smart passes, and broke up a number of United attacks.
Um, I’m pretty sure Jones got subbed out early and didnt play 90 minutes, unless I’m seriously mistaken. Anyways, he played well. It was my first time watching him play and he knows his role well as a central defensive midfielder and also makes good forays into the attacking thirds. What stood out to me was his great tackling ability and recovering when he did mess up.
Didn’t hear too much about Jones, he usually plays very well…..
Lmao oh its good thing they tied they need points. All they can get. How did jones do?
Speaking of a good shell the crew seem to have a good showing tonight 50 people…..
Sorry meant to say “considering Rangers”…..
Very well, considering played a 8-2-0.
How edu play ?