Messi leads Barcelona to 2-1 win vs Slavia Prague

AP , Wednesday 23 Oct 2019

Messi
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, center, duels for the ball with Slavia's Tomas Soucek during the Champions League group F soccer match between Slavia Praha and FC Barcelona at the Sinobo stadium in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019 AP

Lionel Messi scored early and set up the winning goal as Barcelona beat Slavia Prague 2-1 for its second straight win in Group F of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Messi floated a free kick in the 57th to Luis Suarez at the far post and his shot was deflected in by Slavia forward Peter Olayinka for Barcelona's winner.

Earlier, Messi finished off a fast move he had started in the third minute, capitalizing on a defensive blunder to score with a left-footed low shot.

Defender Jan Boril equalized for Slavia early in the second half.

Barcelona tops the standings with seven points from three games.

Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund trail Barcelona by three points in a group where three heavyweights are vying for two spots in the knockout stage.

Inter beat Dortmund 2-0 in the other group game on Wednesday.

Slavia is bottom with a point.

Next, Barcelona hosts Slavia on Nov 5.

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