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Played
October 20, 2011 12:15 AM IST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: A. Stavrev
Attendance: 74375
October 20, 2011 12:15 AM IST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: A. Stavrev
Attendance: 74375
Top of the Match
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Flop of the Match
David Bystron
FC Viktoria Plzeň
FC Viktoria Plzeň
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Barcelona 2-0 Viktoria Plzen: Villa & Iniesta Guide Catalans To Workmanlike Win Over Staunch Visitors
The holders were below their brilliant best but still could have won by a hatful of goals as Lionel Messi starred once again in a home victory which was never in doubt
By Ben Hayward, Goal.com
Getty
Barcelona made it two wins out of three in the Champions League this term as they overcame Czech side Viktoria Plzen 2-0 thanks to goals from Andres Iniesta and David Villa at Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.
The impressive Iniesta gave the Catalans the lead after 10 minutes with a lovely goal as he combined with Lionel Messi and Villa rounded off the scoring with a late second after the hosts had missed a series of chances.
Barca were pegged back by AC Milan in their first Champions League game this term, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, but Pep Guardiola's men returned to form in their second match as they thrashed BATE Borisov 5-0 in Belarus.
Imperious at home in the Primera Division this season, having scored 21 goals without reply in four crushing victories over Villarreal, Osasuna, Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander, the Catalans looked set to rack up another comprehensive victory here.
Guardiola was without Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique in defence, but stand-ins Javier Mascherano and Eric Abidal were barely troubled as the home side exerted their influence early on.
And they didn't have to wait long to go ahead as Iniesta combined with Messi on the edge of the box, controlled with his right foot and slid a low shot into the corner with his left.
The midfielder had returned from a hamstring injury on Saturday against Racing and Barca look a different team when he is on the pitch.
Iniesta then set up David Villa moments later, but the Spain striker shot wide.
Villa came close again later in the half with a trademark angled drive from distance which was just off target, while Messi came within a whisker of a second goal as he got between two defenders but was left without an angle and saw his effort saved by Viktoria keeper Marek Cech.
Pedro then fired over from a rebound with an open goal to aim at and Messi hit the side netting before sending a free-kick against the woodwork on the stroke of half-time.
The Argentine forward was brilliant as the second half got underway, hitting the post again and almost scoring a wonder-goal as the visitors held on for dear life.
The 24-year-old was also brought down in the area with eight minutes left and Barca could have had a penalty, but it mattered little as Villa was on hand to sweep home the rebound anyway.
AC Milan beat BATE by the same scoreline in the other match, meaning Barca remain top of Group H on goal difference.
The impressive Iniesta gave the Catalans the lead after 10 minutes with a lovely goal as he combined with Lionel Messi and Villa rounded off the scoring with a late second after the hosts had missed a series of chances.
Barca were pegged back by AC Milan in their first Champions League game this term, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, but Pep Guardiola's men returned to form in their second match as they thrashed BATE Borisov 5-0 in Belarus.
Imperious at home in the Primera Division this season, having scored 21 goals without reply in four crushing victories over Villarreal, Osasuna, Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander, the Catalans looked set to rack up another comprehensive victory here.
Guardiola was without Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique in defence, but stand-ins Javier Mascherano and Eric Abidal were barely troubled as the home side exerted their influence early on.
And they didn't have to wait long to go ahead as Iniesta combined with Messi on the edge of the box, controlled with his right foot and slid a low shot into the corner with his left.
The midfielder had returned from a hamstring injury on Saturday against Racing and Barca look a different team when he is on the pitch.
Iniesta then set up David Villa moments later, but the Spain striker shot wide.
Villa came close again later in the half with a trademark angled drive from distance which was just off target, while Messi came within a whisker of a second goal as he got between two defenders but was left without an angle and saw his effort saved by Viktoria keeper Marek Cech.
Pedro then fired over from a rebound with an open goal to aim at and Messi hit the side netting before sending a free-kick against the woodwork on the stroke of half-time.
The Argentine forward was brilliant as the second half got underway, hitting the post again and almost scoring a wonder-goal as the visitors held on for dear life.
The 24-year-old was also brought down in the area with eight minutes left and Barca could have had a penalty, but it mattered little as Villa was on hand to sweep home the rebound anyway.
AC Milan beat BATE by the same scoreline in the other match, meaning Barca remain top of Group H on goal difference.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
|
Mario Gomez
Striker FC Bayern München |
13 | 0 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
10 | 2 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 0 |
|
Didier Drogba
Striker Chelsea |
6 | 0 |