Barça in contro

FC Barcelona comfortably beat Rangers with a domineering display of passing and incisive football to move clear at the top of the group. First half goals from Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi gave the hosts maximum points.

The Blaugrana called for an early goal and they achieved their aim as the deadlock was broken after just six minutes as Rangers set themselves up to defend in numbers. That goal failed to open the visitors up, however, and Barça were forced to continue to look for space in which to create a second. That was eventually found just before the break and left the Scottish side with no way back.


In the second period, the hosts created even more chances as they were bale to relax and produce their trademark attacking football. Rangers maintained their stance and only troubled Víctor Valdés in the closing minutes. The victory saw Frank Rijkaard's side move three points clear at the top of the group and become clear favourites to progress to the next round. The desired startThe first goal of the night arrived after just six minutes when Ronaldinho floated a cross to the far side of the area where Messi arrived unmarked to head back across goal and Henry beat Carlos Cuellár to prod the ball home from point-blank range after it had clipped the inside of the post. It was just the start that the hosts wanted and was an important strike after Barça had failed to find a way through when the teams first met in Glasgow two weeks ago.

In the 17th minute Iniesta ran onto a loose ball after Messi's run was halted, and the Barça midfielder bent a drive just wide of the post from 20 yards out. Ten minutes later Ronaldinho, who was clearly enjoying himself again, made a quick turn of the hips and a realignment of the body to provide himself with the space to send a fizzing drive goalwards, but Allan McGregor was equal to the effort as the Scottish custodian tipped the ball over the bar.



Messi goal
The game remained intense as Rangers sat back and Barça continued to probe. Then, three minutes before half-time the second goal arrived. Ronaldinho played a neat one-two with Messi on the edge of the area to allow the Brazilian to surge forward and shoot. McGregor saved the initial shot with his legs, but was helpless as Messi strode onto the rebound and tucked the ball home from close range.

Further chances
After the break there was little change in the pattern of the game as Barça continued to press forward, while the visitors continued to look to protect their goal. Xavi had two good chances to put the Blaugrana further ahead, but both his efforts were off target, while Messi was denied twice by McGregor.

Carles Puyol was revelling in his role at right-back and spent the majority of the game surging down the flank to play as a second winger and a third goal looked to be on the cards.



Rangers edge forward
That goal never arrived through, despite substitute Bojan Krkic's attempts to break through. The youngster replaced Ronaldinho with 14 minutes remaining and looked lively, despite being unable to make his mark in the Champions League with a goal.

In the closing moments, Rangers finally ventured forward and Jean-Claude Darcheville saw a free-kick saved by Valdés before the Catalan custodian was called on again in injury time to deny Nacho Novo.



THE GOALS :

1-0, Henry (min 6)
2-0, Messi (min 42)


Source : FCB