Barcelona 3 - Olympique Lyon 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Zambrotta, Márquez, Milito, Abidal; Xavi (Giovani 79'), Touré Yayá, Deco; Messi (Bojan 88'), Henry, Ronaldinho (Iniesta 65'). 4-3-3.
Lyon: Vercoutre; Clerc, Bodmer, Squillaci, Reveillere; Toulalan, Belhadj (Baros 62'), Kallstrom (Keita 83'), Govou, Juninho, Benzema (Ben Harfa 75').

Goals:
1-0. 21. Clerc (own goal). Deflected ball into own net trying to cut out Messi cross.
2-0. 83. Messi. Shot past Vercoutre after Deco and Iniesta combined to set him up.
3-0. 91. Henry. Following up after keeper blocked angled shot from Giovani.

A good win for Barcelona in their first match against Olympique Lyon, a result which was a relief for beleaguered coach Frank Rijkaard. The French side had plagued Real Madrid in their opening games in two previous editions, but Barça dominated from the start, and they took the lead midway through the first half when Clerc turned Messi's cross past his own keeper. Messi went close a couple of times either side of half time, and Henry and Deco both had shots saved before Messi latched on to Iniesta's square pass to beat Vercoutre. Rijkaard gave a first Champions League appearance to youngsters Giovani and Bojan, and Henry made it three in injury time after the keeper could only push out Giovani's shot.