Barcelona revival denies brave Celtic at Parkhead
Messi was on target twice for Barcelona
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Wednesday, 20, Feb 2008 10:31
Barcelona will take a 3-2 lead over Celtic into the second leg of their Champions League tie after Lionel Messi snatched a late winner.
Celtic had been ahead twice in the match but the Spanish giants continued to fight and gained a deserved victory following a fluent second-half display.
An open game allowed both sides to show their abilities with the ball and although it was a dangerous tactic it looked to be paying dividends for Gordon Strachan's side when they took an early lead.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink met Lee Naylor's cross with a decisive header to put the Bhoys ahead and send Parkhead into raptures.
However their good work was quickly undone as Barca marched up the other end and equalised within three minutes thanks to Messi.
The home crowd tried to raise their side and, against the run of play, they managed to take the lead again.
As Barcelona pushed for a second goal Celtic broke away - Aiden McGeady playing in Barry Robson, who beat Victor Valdes to give Celtic a 2-1 lead at half time.
Barcelona continued their assault on the Celtic goal in the second half and were rewarded when Ronaldinho dispossessed Gary Caldwell in a dangerous position.
The Brazilian fed former Arsenal front-man Thierry Henry who found the top corner of Artur Boruc's goal with nonchalant ease.
Barca then showed their strength in depth by replacing Ronaldinho with Samuel Eto'o midway through the second half and the change did little to abate Celtic's worries.
Messi eventually grabbed the match-winning goal ten minutes from time. The Argentinean produced a superb turn inside the box to create himself some space before slotting home.
The result hands Barcelona a huge advantage as they head into the second leg of the tie in two weeks' time.
Elsewhere in the Champions League last-16, Fenerbahce beat Uefa Cup holders Sevilla 3-2 in a well-contested affair in Istanbul.
Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman gave Fenerbahce the lead early in the game before Edu's own goal handed the Spanish side a way back into the game.
In the second half Sevilla dominated proceedings but Diego Lugano was able to put the home side ahead once more from a corner.
Defender Julien Escude then got Sevilla a deserved equaliser before Semih Senturk won the game for the Turkish side.