Luis Suarez scored twice in the second half as Barcelona came from behind to beat Inter Milan 2-1 in Wednesday night's Champions League clash at Camp Nou.
Lautaro Martinez's third-minute strike had seen Antonio Conte's side take a surprise lead in Catalonia, but Suarez's spectacular second-half volley levelled the scores before the Uruguay international netted an 84th-minute winner.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Champions League clash between Barcelona and Inter Milan from Camp Nou. Barca opened their Group F campaign with a goalless draw against Borussia Dortmund last month, while Inter shared the spoils with Slavia Prague in their section opener. Stay tuned for the action!
TEAMS!
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Lenglet, Pique, Roberto; Arthur, Busquets, De Jong; Griezmann, L Suarez, Messi
INTER: Handanovic; Godin, De Vrij, Skriniar; Candreva, Barella, Brozovic, Sensi, Asamoah; Martinez, Sanchez
The big team news for Barca sees a return for Lionel Messi, who has overcome the groin problem that he picked up against Villarreal. It is just the Argentine's second start of the campaign, and he joins Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann in the final third. Jordi Alba's continued absence, meanwhile, means that Nelson Semedo switches to left-back and Sergi Roberto comes in on the right.
As for Inter, Romelu Lukaku, who has started the season very well, misses out with a muscular problem. Alexis Sanchez, however, is given a start through the middle against his former club. Argentine international Lautaro Martinez is also selected as part of a two-man attack, while former Atletico Madrid captain Diego Godin will take on familiar foes tonight.
Inter have been in brilliant domestic form this season - winning all six of their Serie A matches to top the table ahead of the reigning champions Juventus. Barca, though, are currently fourth in La Liga having struggled to show their best form in the early stages of the campaign.
KICKOFF: Barca kick things off on home soil...
... there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium tonight - European nights at Camp Nou are very, very special. Let's hope for an open and entertaining game in Catalonia.
SAVE! Handanovic has to get down to keep out a strike from Griezmann.
GOAL! BARCELONA 0-1 INTER MILAN (MARTINEZ)
GOAL! Oh my word! Inter make the breakthrough in the opening moments here as Martinez races onto a through pass before managing to find the bottom corner under pressure from Lenglet. It is some start from Antonio Conte's side, who are flying at the moment.
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YELLOW CARD! Barella (Inter Milan) is booked for a rash challenge on Busquets. Barca have had a lot of the ball since the opening goal went in but no chances for the home side.
Nothing much from Griezmann, Suarez and Messi as a front three at the moment, but the latter is the one dropping deep in a bid to get involved. It is a vital period of the match here as Inter just sit in and defend following their shock opening goal.
YELLOW CARD! Griezmann (Barcelona) is booked for a poor challenge on Sensi.
Inter look to break clear once again as Sensi steps in to win the ball, but Barca just about manage to deal with the danger before Messi carries the ball forward.
Good possession for Barca at the moment but Inter are sitting tight before launching fast counter-attacks. It is a very, very interesting game of football at Camp Nou.
Not too much for Handanovic to think about at the moment despite Barca having plenty of the ball in dangerous positions. I would be surprised if there were not more goals in this as both teams are committing numbers in the final third of the field.
CLOSE! Better from Barca as Roberto finds the head of Griezmann at the far post, and the Frenchman's effort from a dangerous position is just over the Inter crossbar!
Martinez looks to have another huge chance as he breaks into the Barca box, but the offside flag is eventually raised. Martinez had taken the ball too wide in any case.
Barca make ground down the left as Semedo combines with Griezmann but the return pass for the Frenchman is just too strong. Inter can resume the play with a goal kick.
CLOSE! So close for Barca as Busquets whistles one just wide of the Inter post from the edge of the box - it was some strike from the Spaniard. Inter are under big pressure.
YELLOW CARD! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for a heavy challenge on Sensi.
The Barca players were fuming with the referee for handing Pique that yellow card, with Messi and Suarez both making their point to the official. The booking stands, though!
Barella looks to race clear into the Barca box but Lenglet does really well to make the challenge - barging the midfielder off the ball. Excellent defending from Lenglet there.
SAVE! Smart save from Handanovic to get down and keep out a strike from Messi, who had curled one from the edge of the box. The goalkeeper was always favourite.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Inter have the ball in the back of the net once again through Candreva, but the wing-back sees the goal disallowed for offside. Another indication of the threat!
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Inter still lead in Catalonia courtesy of that early strike from Martinez, who managed to squeeze the ball into the bottom corner after holding off the challenge of Lenglet. Something like this...
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Inter's use of this huge pitch has been very impressive in the opening 31 minutes, with Barca finding it difficult to work space in dangerous positions. Inter have been very good.
Suarez has cut a frustrated figure in the first 33 minutes of this game - the striker has hardly been involved. Barca continue to pass and probe in forward positions, but it is difficult to say that Handanovic has been overly worked at Camp Nou thus far.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Inter to score a second as the ball breaks for Barella inside the Barca box, but Semedo manages to make a brilliant block and it goes behind!
Handanovic comes through a number of bodies to claim a deep free kick as Barca waste another good opportunity in the final third. Still 1-0 to the Italian league leaders here.
This has certainly been a feisty match in terms of challenges with both teams having their moments and indeed having their yellow cards. Busy for the referee!
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SAVE! Wonderful save from Ter Stegen to keep out a header from Martinez, who found himself free inside the home team's penalty box. So good from the goalkeeper!
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining, and Inter certainly deserve to be ahead when considering their work in the first 41 minutes. I would not be surprised if there are some boos at the interval if the score remains 1-0 heading into the break.
CLOSE! Sensi just misses the Barca goal with a strike after a wonderful passing move. Some of Inter's football in the first half of this match has been a joy to behold.
SAVE! Very comfortable for Handanovic to keep out a weak effort from Suarez.
CHANCE! Another huge chance for Inter as Sanchez meets a brilliant cross from Sensi, but the Chile international heads wide of the post under pressure from Busquets!
SAVE! Comfortable for Handanovic to keep out a long-range free kick from Messi.
Good recovery from Semedo to force Martinez wide after the Inter forward had again broken clear on the counter-attack. Inter should be more goals ahead here.
HALF TIME: BARCELONA 0-1 INTER MILAN
So there we have it - the referee brings the first period to a close with Inter leading Barca 1-0 courtesy of a fine finish from Martinez in the early stages of the contest. Barca have had their moments in the final third, but it would be fair to say that the away team should have scored more as they have created a number of brilliant opportunities in this European tie.
STATISTICS! Barca had 64% of the possession in the first period - hitting the target with four of their nine attempts. Inter only had six attempts in the opening 45 minutes, but the Italian side certainly had the better opportunities. Three bookings to report, meanwhile, with Barella carded for the visitors, and Pique and Griezmann for the frustrated hosts here.
BENCH WATCH! Ernesto Valverde has a lot of options for change in the second period with Dembele, Perez, Rakitic and Vidal all available for the home side here. Inter, meanwhile, have the likes of Esposito, Politano, Gagliardini and Biraghi on their bench tonight.
KICKOFF: Inter resume the action at Camp Nou...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the play develops.
Inter continue to defend with a five-man defence before pushing their two wing-backs forward when they have the chance to break. Barca cannot break through at the moment.
Again it is really clever work from Martinez, who buys his team a free kick as Inter look to break once again. Martinez has been very, very impressive for the away side here.
Barca win a free kick in a decent area as Messi is brought to the ground by Brozovic. Perhaps too far out to shoot direct, but Messi often does the unthinkable...
... Messi's free kick hits the defensive wall and goes behind.
YELLOW CARD! Roberto (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Sensi.
BARCELONA SUB! Barca introduce Arturo Vidal in place of Busquets.
Smart defending from De Vrij to block an attempt from Vidal with Barca suddenly quickening the pace in the final third. The home side need so much more from Griezmann and Suarez, who have both struggled to get involved in tonight's game.
Messi again goes down on the edge of the box under a challenge from Sanchez but this time the referee is not interested. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining here.
GOAL! BARCELONA 1-1 INTER MILAN (SUAREZ)
GOAL! Barca level! And it is a wonderful, wonderful effort from Suarez as the Uruguay international volleys a Vidal pass into the bottom corner. The centre-forward has been quiet tonight but that is some finish from the South American - incredible.
Life is certainly more uncomfortable for Inter at the moment as Barca continue to force the issue - very, very interesting next 30 minutes of football coming up here.
Suarez goes down inside the Inter box under a challenge from Asamoah, but the referee is not interested. The offside flag then goes up, allowing Inter to regroup here.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Barca to score a second as Griezmann breaks into the Inter box, but the France international's effort hits the side netting!
You do get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match. Nothing much from Inter going forward at the moment, though, which will be a concern for Antonio Conte.
Pass, pass, pass from Barca as they continue to work the ball across the pitch, but Inter are holding firm for the moment. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining here.
BARCELONA SUB! Dembele replaces Griezmann for the home side.
INTER MILAN SUB! Gagliardini replaces Sanchez for the away team.
INTER MILAN SUB! Gagliardini replaces Sanchez for the away team.
CLOSE! Dembele just misses the Inter crossbar with a brilliant strike from distance - the France international has been lively since entering the field two minutes ago.
Plenty happening for the referee to deal with at the moment as Inter continue to give away free kicks inside their own half. Messi is not being allowed to advance here.
INTER MILAN SUB! Candreva is replaced by D'Ambrosio for the away side.
All Barca at the moment in terms of pressure with Inter struggling to deal with the pace from Dembele. You do get the feeling that there is another goal in this contest.
De Jong delivers a dangerous cross into the Inter box and Skriniar has to deal with it as Barca threaten once again. The resulting corner is then cleared by the towering Godin.
Martinez is fairly isolated in the Inter attack at the moment, although Sensi is doing his best to join the number 10 whenever possible. Just a reminder that the Italians were unable to call upon Lukaku tonight due to a muscular problem.
YELLOW CARD! Vidal (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Barella.
YELLOW CARD! Sanchez (Inter Milan) is no longer on the field but has just been booked for something that he said to the referee. The Chile international could be sent off again!
Little over 10 minutes of the second period remaining, and not too much is happening at the moment with Inter seemingly being able to ride the storm after Suarez scored.
INTER MILAN SUB! Politano replaces Sensi for the away side.
YELLOW CARD! Conte (Inter Milan) has now been booked for arguing with the officials.
GOAL! BARCELONA 2-1 INTER MILAN (SUAREZ)
GOAL! And there is the second! Barca make it 2-1 in the 85th minute as Suarez drives into the Inter box before finding the back of the net with a cool finish. It is heartbreak from Inter, but the Uruguay international looks to have won this game in the latter stages.
Possession football from Barca at the moment as the clock ticks on here.
Inter have just not been able to respond in the latter stages of this match, and it would be fair to say that Conte is not best pleased as he continues to rant and rave here.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
Nothing in the way of a response from Inter, who are seemingly going to stay on a point from their two group matches, with Barca joining Borussia Dortmund on four points.
FULL TIME: BARCELONA 2-1 INTER MILAN
So there we have it - the referee brings the second period to a close with Barca running out 2-1 winners courtesy of a second-half double from Luis Suarez. Oh how the Spanish champions needed that! Inter are undone by two excellent goals in the second period.
That is just about it from me tonight, but I shall leave with the match report from what was a very entertaining game of football. Hope to see you again soon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
