European Champions League

Barcelona 3 - Sporting Lisbon 1

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Daniel Alves, Piqué, Márquez, Puyol (Sylvinho 89'); Xavi, Keita, Iniesta, Etoo (Touré Yayá 66'), Henry (Pedro 74'). 4-3-3.
Sporting: Rui Patricio; Abel, Tonel, Polga, Caneira (Pereirinha 78'); Romagnoli (Veloso 65'), Moutinho, Rochemback, Izmailov; Derlei, Yannick (Postiga 61'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 21. Márquez. Guided bouncing header down past Patricio from Xavi corner.
2-0. 60. Eto'o (penalty). After Eto'o himself pushed by Tonel inside penalty area.
2-1. 72. Tonel. Ran in to turn Veloso free kick past Víctor Valdés on near post.
3-1. 87. Xavi. Got behind defence to poke Iniesta's curled cross past keeper.

Relief for Barcelona and coach Pep Guardiola, a 3-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon getting their season back on track after a poor start in the league. After his changes to the starting line up at the weekend, Guardiola returned to a first choice side, and the front three Eto'o, Henry and Messi all went close early on. It was left to a defender though to open the scoring, Márquez heading Xavi's corner back down through a crowded goalmouth with just over twenty minutes gone.

Valdés was called upon to beat away a dangerous Moutinho free kick a few minutes later, but Eto'o made it two from the penalty spot on the hour mark after he was pushed in the area by Tonel. Valdés saved again from Ismailov soon afterwards though, and Tonel got one back from Veloso's free kick a few minutes later. Messi had a shot stopped by Rui Patricio and Iniesta put another chance wide after that, but it was not until Xavi turned in Iniesta's cross with three minutes to go that Barça were safe.