Benfica: Artur; Maxi Pereira, Jardel, Garay,
Melgarejo; Matic; Salvio, Bruno César (Carlos Martins 46'), Enzo
Pérez (Pablo Aimar 59'), Gaitán (Nolito 74'); Lima. 4-1-4-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves, Puyol
(Alex Song 77'), Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fàbregas
(Iniesta 71'); Pedro (David Villa 81'), Messi, Alexis. 4-3-3.
Goals:
0-1. 06. Alexis. Got ahead of his marker to turn
Messi cross wide of the keeper.
0-2. 56. Fàbregas. Picked up Messi
pass and fired shot inside Artur's near post.
Two wins out of two in the Champions League, and eight in a row in all competitions as Barcelona beat Benfica 0-2 on Tuesday evening. The Portuguese team started with ten South Americans and a Serbian in their initial line up, and Bruno César caused some problems for Victor Valdés at the start. However with six minutes on the clock Alexis got on the end of Messi's cross to open the scoring, and a few minutes later Artur had to be at his best to turn an effort from Messi round the post. Salvio tested Valdés again a couple of times just before the break, but Alexis went close twice either side of half time before a great run by Messi ended with him putting Fàbregas through to score the second. Valdés did have some work to do after that, and there was bad news late on for Tito Vilanova when Puyol picked up a serious elbow injury and Busquets was red-carded for a rash tackle, but Barça seem to have this group tied up already.