Puyol’s returns sparks Barcelona

A GOAL-SCORING cameo from defender Carles Puyol put Barcelona on their way to their second Champions League victory of the season to inflict Stuttgart’s second defeat.

Substitute Puyol, who returned from a three-month injury lay-off in the Primera Liga win over Levante on Saturday, bundled in the opener at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion before leaving the action early for fear of further injury.

Lionel Messi scored a second to put the Catalan giants level at the top of Group E with Rangers, following the Scottish side’s 3-0 win at Lyon.