GROUP G:Lionel Messi started his and Barcelonas Champions League campaign with a bang when he struck twice to secure a 3-2 comeback win for the favourites at home to Spartak Moscow in their group opener.
Barca were flirting with a first home defeat in 17 European outings when Spartak took a shock 2-1 lead in the 59th minute when Repulic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady found Romulo who fired home a fine goal. That was before Messi, top scorer in the competition the past four seasons, levelled 19 minutes from time.
The Argentine World Player of the Year was set up by Cristian Tello, scorer of the home sides 14th-minute opener, and then nodded in the winner in the 80th minute. Dani Alves’ own goal had brought the sides level on 29 minutes.
It ensured a winning debut in the competition for new coach Tito Vilanova. Barcas night was partly spoiled by an injury to centre back Gerard Pique. The Spain international was forced off in the 12th minute after bruising his left foot and will be out for two to three weeks.
GROUP F:Bastian Schweinsteiger and Bayern Munich cast aside the bitter memories of their Champions League final defeat in May to begin the new campaign with a 2-1 victory over Valencia .
Schweinsteiger fired Bayern into the lead with a deflected shot in the 38th minute, much to the delight of the 68,000 sold-out crowd in Munich. Midfielder Toni Kroos added a second when he scored with a 20-metre drive in the 76th minute.
Defensive-minded Valencia, cut the deficit with a header from Nelson Valdez in stoppage time.
Bayern should then have made it 3-1 but substitute Mario Mandzukic saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Diego Alves after Adil Rami was sent off.
Belarusian club Bate Borisov recorded their first ever Champions League group stage victory with a 3-1 win against Lille in France. Bate raced into a shock early two-goal lead at Grand Stade Lille Métropole through Aleksandr Volodko and Vitali Rodionov.
Edgar Olekhnovich scored a third with only two minutes of the half left. Aurélien Chedjou reduced the deficit with an hour on the clock but the visitors held out for a deserved win.
GROUP E:Shakhtar Donetsk got their campaign off to a flying start with an easy win over Danish champions Nordsjaelland. Shakhtar took the lead on the stroke of half time through Henrikh Mkhitaryan who added a second in the 76th minute.
GROUP H: Rafael Bastos scored a first half double as Cluj came away with a shock 2-0 win over Braga. The Brazilian opened the scoring on 19 minutes as he was put in one-on-one with the goalkeeper to slot home. He doubled the lead 15 minutes later.
