Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to an enthralling victory over Tottenham at Wembley which condemned the English side to a second Champions League defeat from two games this season.
Messi scored twice in an excellent attacking display from the Spanish champions, who were twice pegged back in a breathless second half.
Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho put Barcelona ahead in the second minute at the end of an excellent team move involving Messi, although returning Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris helped the visitors by rushing off his line.
Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic then doubled the lead by firing home an acrobatic half-volley off the inside of the post from 20 yards.
But Harry Kane halved Spurs' deficit in the 52nd minute, shortly after Messi had twice hit the post for the visitors.
Messi then put Barca 3-1 in front at the end of another flowing move, only for Erik Lamela to pull another back for Spurs with a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Messi sealed the result in the 90th minute with a calm finish which gives his side a second successive Champions League win and sees them top Group B.
Mauricio Pochettino's side meanwhile are third but six points behind Barcelona and second-placed Inter Milan, and face a difficult task to progress to the knockout stages.
Latest Stories
-
Just give us ‘dumsor’ timetable to plan our operations – GMA tells ECG
16 mins -
Parliament petitions Chief Justice for an expedited hearing of cases against anti-LGBTQI+ Bill
28 mins -
The Attorney General vs NDC impasse – why they ‘fight’
55 mins -
High Court orders teacher unions to end strike
57 mins -
‘He worked with all staff irrespective of their status’ – GRA hails Dr Ammishaddai
1 hour -
Zack Orji underwent two brain surgeries; he is fine – Actors Guild of Nigeria President
1 hour -
Another accident leaves 5 police officers injured in Nsawam
1 hour -
I’ve really worked well as Veep; vote for me as President – Bawumia to traders
2 hours -
There’s something mysteriously amiss somewhere about ongoing ‘dumsor’ – Gabby Otchere-Darko
2 hours -
South Africa: Team Western Cape wins National Primary School Track and Field Championships
2 hours -
Chale Wote Street Art Festival: A call for artists ahead of 2024 edition
4 hours -
Floods: We’re exposed but my team and I are ‘running’ to catch up – Oppong Nkrumah
4 hours -
5 traits of sweet, committed men that may seem like red flags at first
5 hours -
We met on Twitter and our first date was a week-long road trip
5 hours -
The biggest mistake people make when meeting someone in person after talking online
6 hours