Barca give Lisbon a Sporting chance

Barcelona 3 Sporting Lisbon 1

Goals from Rafael Marquez and Samuel Eto’o had put Barca in control, and although Sporting threatened to put the cat among the pigeons by pulling a goal back through Antonio Tonel, Xavi’s late strike ended any chance of shock comeback.

Looking to put their disappointing start to the Primera Liga season behind them, Barca started in determined fashion and Andres Iniesta fired just over before a heavy touch from Eto’o denied the Cameroon international a great chance. Leo Messi then went agonisingly close with a curling 20-yard shot following a jinking run across the edge of the area.