The Peter Lim-owned team lost 0-2 away at Zenit St Petersburg and were leapfrogged by Ghent, thanks to Kalifa Coulibaly’s last-gasp goal which secured a 2-1 win over Group H bottom side Lyon.
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Messi scored twice in the impressive victory on his first start for two months after sustaining a knee injury against Las Palmas in September.
The pair were both on the scoresheet as Barca romped to a 6-1 win over Roma just 24 hours earlier, confirming their position as group winners in the Champions League.
And Messi didn’t disappoint by pairing his brace with forward Luis Suarez’s in a dominating performance that assured Barcelona first place in the group, and perhaps cast aside any doubts the Catalans could defend last year’s treble.
They also have close-season signings Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan to start playing in January once the club’s FIFA-imposed transfer ban has been lifted, but head coach Luis Enrique is still keen to do business.
“Leo, Neymar and I are happy for the team and happy to play for the side”. We played a flawless game, very complete, and we didn’t leave any space in midfield.
“We know that every player has to fulfil their expectations”.
“We have to be fearless in Spain and determined to make the most of our chances”.
Messi was on a hat-trick in the Roma game but allowed strike partner Neymar to take a late penalty, which was missed and converted on the rebound by Adriano. His absence forced players suchs as Neymar and Luis Suarez to step up to keep Barcelona at the same level.
The home team would add a fourth shortly after the break, with a wonderful team goal finished off when Messi slid the ball straight into the path of Gerard Pique. “We all have to be responsible if the game doesn’t go well”.
“Ultimately we need to concentrate on winning against Atalanta in Serie A and then against Borisov to qualify in the Champions League”, he said.
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Barca were controlling over 75 percent of the ball and Messi scored his first goal after coming back from injury when he beat Roma keeper Wojciech Szcehney with a smart chip after good work from Suarez.
