Puyol arm injury sours convincing Barca win

Barcelona kept their perfect start to the season going with a 2-0 win at Benfica thanks to goals either side of half-time by Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas.

Sanchez was on hand to turn in Lionel Messi’s cross after just six minutes and despite a few scares from an attack-minded Benfica, they sealed the three points 10 minutes into the second period when Messi again set up Fabregas to rifle in at Artur Moraes’ near post.

The Catalans’ night was soured near the end when captain Carles Puyol was carried off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a broken arm after he landed awkwardly attacking a corner, before Sergio Busquets was shown a straight red card two minutes from time. Barca host Real Madrid in La Liga on Sunday, and play Celtic in their next Champions League outing.