Europe continues to reverberate to the patter of tiny feet. Fine goals from Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas brought Barcelona a deserved, often thrilling Uefa Super Cup victory over nine-man Porto. Fabregas has now won two trophies in 10 days, a contrast to his barren, six-year run at Arsenal.
The Europa League champions lost their shape, resilience and discipline late on but Barcelona were again magnificent.
Messi’s first was sumptuous and Fabregas’ second was expertly taken, and brilliantly made by Messi.
The DJ played “Mr Brightside” at the break and it must have been in tribute to Messi, who changed his boots on Stade Louis II’s poor pitch and was soon seizing on Fredy Guarin’s nightmare backpass.
Messi ran straight at Helton, seemingly turning the Porto keeper to stone as he dropped a shoulder and swept the ball effortlessly around him. Messi’s finish was typically accurate, the ball stroked at an angle in to the net.
Barcelona’s fans loved another reminder of their No 10’s brilliance, celebrating wildly, some lighting flares, others waving their shirts manically above their heads.
They had enjoyed other first-half moments as their idols racked up 70 per cent possession, notably a wonderful dribble by Andres Iniesta when he seemed to use Porto players as cones in a training session.
English interest in proceedings strayed further than the sight of Fabregas starting on the bench. Joao Moutinho’s involvement did not cup-tie Porto’s attacking midfielder as Uefa designate the Uefa Cup a “free match”, effectively a friendly. This may surprise Paul Scholes, who was sent off in this fixture and served his suspension in the Champions League.
Moutinho would be eligible for the Champions League if Chelsea decided to quicken their interest this week. Moutinho certainly impressed in the opening stages, one curling shot bringing a fine save from Victor Valdes.
Chelsea are also pursuing Alvaro Pereira, Porto’s talented left-back, who was rested here.
Fabregas eventually arrived with 11 minutes remaining, and was promptly felled by Guarin. The former Arsenal midfielder was again used in a more attacking role, pushing on to support Messi and Alexis Sanchez.
Porto cynically tried to stop Barcelona, and Rolando departed for two yellows, both fouls on Messi.
Before Guarin also departed, for a straight-red offence on Javier Mascherano, Barcelona had added a second, a thrilling moment for Fabregas. When Messi crossed from the right, Fabregas chested the ball down and belted it right-footed into the net.
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