Messi on song as Barca back on track

LIONEL MESSI was denied a hat-trick but Barcelona put their shock Primera Division defeat to Hercules behind them as they opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with a crushing 5-1 win over Panathinaikos.

Messi struck two and saw a second-half penalty saved by Greek keeper Alexandrros Tzorvas as the home side shrugged off the shock of falling behind at the Nou Camp to score an emphatic victory.

Sidney Govou had put the visitors ahead on 20 minutes, but Messi equalised two minutes later and David Villa made it two just past the half-hour. Messi increased Barca’s lead on 44 and late goals from Pedro and Dani Alves completed the rout.