A LIONEL Messi double spared Barcelona's blushes as the Catalans rescued a win in their opening Group G match.

The Spanish giants were trailing 2-1 to Spartak Moscow before the Argentine struck twice in the last 20 minutes at the Nou Camp.

Messi's trademark celebration – arms pointing skywards – was in stark contrast to his tearful exit in his last Champions League game when defeat by Chelsea condemned him to European misery.

Last night, though, he ran the show to ensure the Spaniards went top after the first matchday clashes.

Coach Tito Vilanova admitted his side were lucky to snatch all three points. He said: "We knew Spartak would be very tough and that's the way it turned out.

"We have no divine right to win every game and the players know that. Messi did what he has done in the past and got us out of trouble."

Barca were without crocked skipper Carles Puyol, and their injury woes deepened when centre-back Gerard Pique picked up a foot injury and was ruled out for two to three weeks.

The Spain inter-national will miss Barca's La Liga matches at home to Granada on Saturday and away at Sevilla a week later.

But he is expected to be fit again for their Champions League game at Benfica on Tuesday, October 2.