Barcelona travelled to Spartak Moscow on Tuesday looking for the three points that would book their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
They took the lead with a Dani Alves volley early on, while a Lionel Messi double secured a three-goal lead at the interval.
Spartak did threaten in the second period, but Barcelona closed the match out to book their spot in the next round.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Afternoon all! Our Champions League coverage gets underway earlier than normal as Barcelona face a trip to a cold Moscow. It will be interesting to see how the Catalans’ players cope with the conditions and artificial pitch.
As mentioned, Spartak began their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona. They were then shocked by Celtic as the Scottish outfit recorded a 3-2 win in Moscow. However, they did pick up their first win with a 2-1 victory over Benfica in their third match.
Buoyed by that result they travelled to Portugal for the return fixture on November 7, but two goals from Oscar Cardozo left the Russian outfit bottom of the group with three points. Defeat this evening would all but end their already slim chances.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Lionel Messi, Pedro and Andres Iniesta all start for Barcelona. Meanwhile, Gerard Pique also starts in central defence. We are still awaiting team confirmation from the home side.
Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas, Xavi; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta
So there we have it. Strong starting side for Barcelona. Meanwhile, they have the likes of David Villa & Co. in reserve. Team news for the home side is just filtering through.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Kim Kallstrom starts for Spartak in a strong midfield that also includes Jurado and Rafael Carioca. Let's just confirm both lineups for you.
Teams:
Spartak Moscow: Dikan; Juan, Suchy, Makeev; Carioca, Kombarov, Jurado, Kallstrom, Kombarov; Ari, Emenike
Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas, Xavi; Pedro, Messi, Iniesta
Right. Let's take a look at how Barcelona have fared thus far. They followed their victory over Spartak with a 2-0 away win against Benfica and made it three wins out of three with a 2-1 success over Celtic in the Nou Camp. However, they were made to sweat and it took a last-minute goal from Jordi Alba to secure three points.
Barcelona were then defeated by Celtic in Scotland in perhaps one of the biggest shocks of all time. Celtic took a two-goal lead in the match and despite a late Lionel Messi strike, the Scots held on to move themselves into second spot in the table. Will we have another shock this evening?
Barcelona will be up against a familiar face this evening in the shape of former Valencia boss Unai Emery. The Spaniard took charge at the Russian club in the summer, but he boasts a record of no wins in his last 14 attempts against Barcelona.
Spartak’s recent home record against Spanish opposition is quite respectable, however, winning three, losing three and drawing six of their last 12 meetings. But tonight they are up against Messi, who is just seven goals behind Gerd Muller’s record of 85 strikes in a calendar year. Incredible.
The Spanish side have also been sensational in their domestic league this season and equalled Real Madrid's 1991/92 record of 34 points from a possible 36 with their win over Real Zaragoza at the weekend.
Spartak, meanwhile, currently occupy fifth spot in the Russian league and are on a four-match unbeaten run in their domestic campaign. That said they enter this match hit by a number of injuries to key players.
They are without their two of their first-team goalkeepers with Artem Rebrov and Sergei Pesyakov on the sidelines. Meanwhile, strikers Artem Dzyuba and Welliton are also out with injury.
It had been hoped that former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady would be available for selection, but the match has come too soon for the Republic of Ireland international and Argentine defender Nicolas Pareja is suspended. Apart from that they are doing not too bad on the injury front!
Barcelona welcomed defensive pair Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol back into the mix for their win over Zaragoza at the weekend and they slotted effortlessly into the side. The Catalan club have been vulnerable in defence this season, but they now have two key players back. Although the latter is only on the bench this evening.
Just a side note on tonight's match. Barcelona could yet quality with a defeat if Benfica do not beat Celtic. But it would put their ability to top the group into question. It is all ifs and buts at this stage of proceedings. We will keep you up-to-date with the permutations as the night unfolds.
Defeat seems unlikely, however, with Barcelona suffering just two losses in their last 22 Champions League games, winning 16 of those. Meanwhile, Spartak have won just one of their last eight European games with Spanish opposition.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last nine Champions League games against Russian opposition and have never lost away from home in Russia. That is an amazing statistic with the well-known difficulty of playing in such conditions.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. I am backing a Barcelona win this evening. I just cannot see any other result.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate crowd and freezing conditions? Check and check. Let's get this Champions League fixture underway.
Here we go then. The home side get us underway. Full house inside the Luzhniki stadium this evening. Barcelona are always the main attraction wherever they go in the world.
Barcelona take immediate control of the possession as expected with Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta all enjoying early touches of the ball. Spartak will expect to go for long periods without the ball.
Spartak have just interrupted the Barcelona flow in the past few moments with a period of possession of their own. However, it breaks down and Messi collects the ball from Xavi before the endless passing begins once more.
First real attack from the home side as Kim Kallstrom attempts to release the run of Ari, but Pique comes across to clear the danger. Meanwhile, the home supporters are in good voice this evening.
Patient play from Barcelona at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the Spartak half. However, the Russian side have seven players behind the ball and are so compact in defence.
First real sign of Messi as he plays a one-two with Fabregas before driving into the penalty area, but Marek Suchy clears the danger and the home side launch an attack of their own.
Half-chance for Spartak as Jurado fires a low cross towards Kallstrom, but the Swede can only fire his effort over the crossbar from just outside the box. He might have done better there.
Barcelona are just starting to find some gaps in and around the Spartak box with Messi and Xavi combining in tight areas. However, the Russian side remain a threat on the counter as Ari fires over the crossbar.
CHANCE! First real chance of the match as Pedro collects a pass from Xavi before volleying towards goal, but Andrey Dikan makes a wonderful save. Top goalkeeping.
Spartak have certainly been a threat in the opening 15 minutes of the match. They have another half-chance as Ari finds Kombarov in the box, but he fires over from close range.
Spartak Moscow 0-1 Barcelona (Alves)
Barcelona make the breakthrough as Alves pounces on a loose ball outside the box before firing his effort into the bottom corner.
There we signs that the opening goal was coming. But no one thought that it would come from Alves. That strike will just settle Barcelona down which means trouble for the home side.
Wonderful feet from Messi as he collects possession in the Spartak half before beating two men, but Rafael Carioca just manages to make the challenge. The Russian side just need to settle in the next few minutes.
The opening goal has certainly rocked the home side and they have just become ever so scrappy in the past few moments. Meanwhile, Barcelona threaten once more with Pedro, but the danger is cleared.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe around the Spartak box as Messi attempts to release Fabregas, but his pass is just cut out. Meanwhile, Suchy fires over from close range down the other end.
Spartak have seemingly identified the wide areas as their means of attack this evening. However, they have wasted a host of crossing opportunities thus far.
GOAL! Spartak Moscow 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
The passing and movement is just too much for the home side as Messi pounces on a save from the goalkeeper to tap home from close range.
Can Spartak turn this match around? They will have to if they want to remain in the competition. Barcelona have just had far too much ability for the home side thus far.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe as Spartak chase shadows. This could get really nasty if they are not careful. The away side have had possession since scoring the second.
In fairness to Spartak they have attempted to break when appropriate, but Mascherano and Pique have been solid in defence thus far. They look much calmer with the latter back in central defence.
Good period of possession for the home side as they pass and probe in advanced areas, but the final ball has eluded them on more than one occasion.
Barcelona call for a penalty as Pedro advances on goal before going down under the challenge of the goalkeeper, but the referee books the winger for diving. Replays have shown that the referee make the correct decision.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Barcelona are just so comfortable. But a goal for the home side could change things in an instant.
GOAL! Spartak Moscow 0-3 Barcelona (Messi)
Messi moves onto 80 goals for the calendar year as he rounds the goalkeeper before finishing from close range. Just wonderful from the Argentine and this one is over.
Barcelona really have their tails up at the moment as they advance forward with numbers. Iniesta and Messi have been just sensational in this opening half of football.
The Catalan outfit continue to control the tempo of the match as we enter the final two minutes of normal time. The home crowd have been silenced by those three strikes.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half. Barcelona in total control.
Spartak Moscow 0-3 Barcelona
So there we have it. Two goals from Lionel Messi and a strike from Dani Alves has handed Barcelona a comprehensive 3-0 lead at the interval.
As it stands Barcelona would book their spot in the latter stages of the competition but the home side's Champions League journey would end here. There has just been such a big gap between the two teams.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Barcelona have dominated possession with 65% of the ball, but Spartak have managed one more attempt on goal (8) than Barcelona.
Just a quick reminder that we have a host of Champions League matches on Sports Mole this evening. Be sure to stay with us for another night of European football.
Right, the second period is just a couple of minutes away. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds. Will Spartak shut up shop or do they still believe they can take something from the match?
Here we go then. Barcelona get us underway and immediately set the tempo of the match. It could be a long 45 minutes for the home side.
It's incredible pressing from Barcelona. They lose the ball for one moment and about four players go in search of it. How do you deal with a team like this when they are playing at their best? I guess you don't.
Rare attack for the home side as Kallstrom attempts to find the run of Emenike, but Mascherano is across once more to make the challenge. Meanwhile, Ari heads wide from close range moments later.
Spartak continue to force the issue with possession in advanced areas, but their final pass continues to miss its destination. You can just sense that there are more goals in this game.
CHANCE! It's sensational football from Barcelona as Iniesta and Fabregas combine on the edge of the box, but the latter is denied by a fine save from Dikan. That is just football of the highest quality.
Barcelona continue to stroke possession around in midfield as they look for that one opening. Meanwhile, the home supporters raise their volume in an attempt to raise their side.
Another half-chance comes the way of Barcelona as Messi whips a high cross into the penalty area, but Pedro can only head straight at Dikan. But the pressure continues to rise.
Spartak continue to chase shadows as Barcelona pass the life out of the Russian outfit. If they cannot find the run they will go the other way and then back. It's such patience.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Pedro fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Kallstrom clears the danger. Meanwhile, the resulting corner is headed away by Makeev.
Two changes for the home side as Kombarov and Emenike are replaced by Welliton and Jano Ananidze. Can they inspire their team in the remaining 30 minutes?
Best football of the night from the home side as Kallstrom and Jurado link in midfield before releasing Suchy, but once more Pique is on hand to clear the danger. It just hasn't really happened for the Russian outfit.
Very bizarre incident here as Welliton stumbles into Valdes as the Barcelona goalkeeper clears the danger. He led with his head. Very strange from the striker.
Valdes appears alright after a brief use of the magic sponge. Right we have little over 20 minutes of football remaining and in truth not a great deal has happened in the second half.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Iniesta attempts to find the run of Messi, but Jurado just gathers in front of the Argentine. Still no hat-trick.
Spartak remain a threat, however, as Ananidze meets a Welliton cross, but he can only head wide of the target. I would expect Barcelona to make some changes in the next few moments.
Spartak continue to have their chances as Welliton attempts to pounce on a Ari pass, but Valdes is quick off his line to clear the danger.
Another change for the home side as Carioca is replaced by Sergei Bryzgalov. Little under 15 minutes of football to play in Russia as Barcelona have a corner cleared.
Double-chance for Barcelona as Messi finds Iniesta in the box, but the Spaniard is denied before Pedro comes close with a similar effort. Will they wrap this up with a fourth?
Spartak force a couple of corners in a good spell of pressure. But as has been the case all evening it breaks down. Meanwhile, Barcelona make their first change as Xavi is replaced by Alex Song.
CHANCE! Messi comes close to adding his third as he rounds the goalkeeper, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. It perhaps should have been four.
Second change for Barcelona as Pedro is replaced by Gerard Deulofeu. Another off the line of talents from the club's academy. Just 18 years of age.
Another half-chance for the home side as Kallstrom strikes an effort from outside the box, but once more it is high and wide of the target. That has pretty much summed up their night.
Final change for Barcelona as Martin Montoya replaces Jordi Alba. Little under one minute of normal time remaining.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of time. Barcelona have possession.
Barcelona end the match as they started, with complete control of possession. It hasn't been much of a second period, but the damage had already been done.
Spartak Moscow 0-3 Barcelona
So there we have it. Barcelona book their spot in the knockout stages of the competition with a 3-0 win over Spartak Moscow. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and stay with us for the remainder of the night's Champions League action.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
