Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc
Bertrán, Arribas, Miguel Flaño, Damià; Puñal, Raoul
Loé; Cejudo (Lolo 79'), Sisi (Timor 77'), Lamah; Llorente (Nino 68').
4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani
Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Jordi Alba; Fàbregas (Pedro 62'), Busquets,
Iniesta (Xavi 58'); Alexis, Messi, Tello (David Villa 75'). 4-3-3.
Goals:
1-0. 17. Llorente. Got on the end of Lamah cross to
turn ball in on far post.
1-1. 75. Messi. Slid ball wide of Andrés
after Alexis passed across area.
1-2. 80. Messi. Got on the end of Jordi
Alba cross to sweep shot past keeper.
Yellow cards: Sisi 26', Damià 33', Busquets 35', Cejudo 47', Flaño 51', Piqué 77', Lamah 79', Puyol 80', Lolo 86' / red cards: Puñal 75'.
Two late goals from Messi gave Barcelona a late 1-2 win at Osasuna, a result which takes Tito Vilanova's side back to the top of the table. Having lost last season in Pamplona, Barça were not taking any chances, and despite a gruelling supercup match midweek, the new coach put out a strong line-up. Alexis brought a good save out of Andrés and Tello hit the post in the opening minutes, but Cejudo tested Valdés at the other end, and with just over a quarter of an hour on the clock Llorente got on the end of Lamah's long cross to put the locals ahead. Iniesta missed an easy chance to equalise a few minutes later, but Nino could have increased the lead in the second half when he broke free only to shoot against the upright. In the end though Messi came to the rescue, turning in an Alexis pass with a quarter of an hour to go, and then connecting with Jordi Alba's cross to sweep in the second. It was all too much for Vilanova, who got himself sent off by an officious referee for arguing, as did Osasuna captain Puñal, who was given his marching orders by Muñiz Fernández shortly after Messi's first goal.