Lyon also makes winning start in knockout phase LONDON — However much Bayer Leverkusen frustrated Barcelona, stifling Lionel Messi proved impossible for 90 minutes. Another inspirational display from the tireless Argentina forward, including a 38th goal of the season, put the holders on the verge of the Champions League quarterfinals following a 3-1 away victory in the first leg Tuesday. Breaking down a stubborn Leverkusen side in the round-of-16 match was the perfect riposte amid domestic troubles that have resulted in Barcelona falling 10 points behind Real Madrid in Spanish league. “When you play against the German teams you don't have the control or possession a lot and they are physically stronger,” Barca coach Pep Guardiola said. “In the second half, we played a game that was not too interesting for us but we scored three goals and we will try to finish it in the second leg at home.” The only other match was equally tight, with Alexandre Lacazette's goal giving Lyon a slight edge against APOEL Nicosia. Another four teams are in action on Wednesday, when AC Milan hosts Arsenal and Zenit St. Petersburg takes on Benfica. Few, though, would bet against Barcelona reaching another final. When Messi began to exert more influence, the team soon found its breakthrough in the 41st minute. After spotting a rare gap in the Leverkusen midfield, Messi slipped the ball through to Sanchez, who slotted a shot past goalkeeper Bernd Leno and inside the left post. Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec equalized at the start of the second half by heading in Vedran Corluka's cross, but Barcelona was back in front three minutes later. It was Sanchez again who scored, after Cesc Fabregas initially sliced open the defense. After evading Leverkusen defender Manuel Friedrich, Sanchez rounded Leno before finishing from a tight angle. Messi was beginning to cause the host more trouble with his menacing, weaving runs — and he gave his team a crucial third away goal in the 88th. Naturally, he started the move. After setting Dani Alves free on the right, Messi darted into the penalty area to direct a pinpoint return from the Brazilian into the net. Even Leverkusen thinks there is no way back at the Camp Nou on March 7. “I think the tie is finished to be honest,” Corluka said. Besiktas beats Braga Braga's hopes of contesting a second successive Europa League final were hit Tuesday when Besiktas won the first leg of their round of 32 meeting. Tomas Sivok's header and Simao's strike gave Besiktas a 2-0 win in Portugal after Braga had Helder Barbosa sent off in the 29th minute for a second bookable offense. Also Tuesday, David Fuster gave Olympiakos a 1-0 victory at Rubin Kazan with a 71st-minute goal. The Russian side looked set to equalize two minutes later when goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri was sent off for a foul on Gokdeniz Karadeniz.
