Barca still too good for Sporting

AFP, BARCELONA: Barcelona rounded off an unbeaten Champions League group stage as Paco Alcacer's header and a late own goal from Jeremy Mathieu secured a 2-0 win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday. Juventus will join the Spanish giants in the last 16 after they too were 2-0 victors away at Olympiakos, relegating Sporting to the consolation of a place in the Europa League in the new year.

With Barcelona already guaranteed top spot in Group D, Lionel Messi was left on the substitutes' bench for the second consecutive Champions League game as Ernesto Valverde made eight changes from the side that started Saturday's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo.

Sporting needed to inflict Barca's first home defeat in the Champions League for five years to have any chance of joining the Catalans in the knockout stages.

However, the Portuguese side showed little ambition until falling behind.

Barca pressed for an opener before the break but lacked the magic Messi so often provides to unlock a packed defence.

Luis Suarez nearly provided the spark when he cut inside Uruguayan international teammate Sebastian Coates, but placed his shot too close to Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

 

Barca still too good for Sporting

AFP, BARCELONA: Barcelona rounded off an unbeaten Champions League group stage as Paco Alcacers header and a late own goal from Jeremy Mathieu secured a 2-0 win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday. Juventus will join the Spanish giants in the last 16 after they too were 2-0 victors away at Olympiakos, relegating Sporting to the consolation of a place in the Europa League in the new year. With Barcelona already guaranteed top spot in Group D, Lionel Messi was left on the substitutes bench for the second consecutive Champions League game as Ernesto Valverde made eight changes from the side that started Saturdays 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo. Sporting needed to inflict Barcas first home defeat in the Champions League for five years to have any chance of joining the Catalans in the knockout stages. However, the Portuguese side showed little ambition until falling behind. Barca pressed for an opener before the break but lacked the magic Messi so often provides to unlock a packed defence. Luis Suarez nearly provided the spark when he cut inside Uruguayan international teammate Sebastian Coates, but placed his shot too close to Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio.