Barcelona 1 Basel 1:BARCELONA REACHED the last 16 of the Champions League despite being held to a 1-1 draw by FC Basel at Camp Nou last night.
Argentinian playmaker Lionel Messi put the home side in front within three minutes of coming on as a substitute when he exchanged passes with Thierry Henry on the edge of the area and placed a left-foot shot into the bottom corner of the net past Franco Costanzo in the 62nd minute.
Former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique hit the woodwork with 10 minutes of the game remaining as the Primera Liga leaders looked to be cruising, but were rocked by a fine goal from Eren Derdiyok with eight minutes left.
Winger Carlitos was given far too much space on the right and he whipped in an accurate cross which Derdiyok took on the half-volley. He timed his shot well and the ball bounced into the top corner of the net, giving Victor Valdes no chance. The Swiss side then held firm to claim a share of the points.
"It took us a bit of effort to get into the match and exert our superiority," Barca coach Pep Guardiola said last night. "But we have qualified for the last 16 and that's great news."
BARCELONA: Valdes, Puyol, Marquez, Pique, Sylvinho, Victor Sanchez (Xavi 60), Busquets, Iniesta (Eto'o 67), Bojan (Messi 60), Hleb, Henry. Subs not used: Pinto, Caceres, Gudjohnsen, Pedrito.
FC BASEL: Costanzo, Zanni, Ferati, Marque, Safari, Huggel, Carlitos, Ergic, Stocker (Gelabert 83), Perovic (Eduardo 59), Streller (Derdiyok 70). Subs not used: Stockli, Hodel, Gjasula, Rubio. Booked: Costanzo.
Referee: A Tudor (Romania).
