Barcelona (Spain), Sept. 15: Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona rallied from an early deficit to beat Panathinaikos 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Three days after a surprise 0-2 Spanish league defeat to Hercules, Barcelona responded in style at the Camp Nou Stadium to start Group D play behind key playmaker Messi.
Sidney Govou struck for the Greek champions in the 20th minute against the run of play but Messi sprung Barcelona back two minutes later.
David Villa put the Spanish champions ahead for good in the 33rd after scoring from Sergio Busquets’ flick-on. Messi notched his second in the 45th after an exquisite buildup through the middle of the field.
Panathinaikos goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas denied the Argentina forward a hat trick with a penalty-save in the 54th. Pedro Rodriguez tapped in the fourth as the ball fell to him in the 78th after Messi’s shot touched the inside of the far post. Messi then lobbed a perfect pass to Daniel Alves as the Brazil defender strode through the area to head home the fifth on the game’s last play.
Barcelona dominated the buildup to Panathinaikos’ goal but Tzorvas kept the hosts at bay by stopping Messi’s third-minute header before forcing Xavi Hernandez to shoot wide from close-range three minutes later.
The Greece ’keeper then started Govou’s goal. Djibril Cisse back-tapped his goal kick to Govou, who swept by fellow France international Eric Abidal to go solo on Victor Valdes and beat the Barcelona goalie with a shot to the left.