Lionel Messi scored in his 700th match for Barcelona and also set up goals for Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann as the Catalans beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 on Wednesday to seal a spot in the Champions League knockout stages as Group F winners.

Lionel Messi scored in his 700th match for Barcelona and also set up goals for Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann as the Catalans beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 on Wednesday to seal a spot in the Champions League knockout stages as Group F winners. Messi set up Suarez to put Barca ahead at a packed Camp Nou in the 29th minute before the Uruguayan returned the compliment for the Argentine to establish another Champions League record on his landmark night four minutes later. Messi's left-foot strike meant he had scored against a 34th different team in the Champions League, surpassing the mark that he had shared with Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul. "Messi moves so well between the lines and when he receives the ball he is almost unstoppable," said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre, whose side struck a late consolation goal through substitute Jadon Sancho. "Sometimes all you can do is try to foul him because he is so explosive. He is also deadly whenever he makes a final ball." Substitute Griezmann finished off a defence-splitting pass from Messi to further stretch Barca's lead in the 67th minute, a much-needed goal for the Frenchman's confidence after failing to score in his previous six appearances for the club. Griezmann had been left out of the starting line-up but came on midway through the first half when his injury-prone compatriot Ousmane Dembele was forced off with a third muscle problem of the campaign. Dortmund's England forward Sancho also began the game on the bench but made an impact when introduced after halftime, firing in an impressive consolation strike for the Germans in the 77th minute after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area. The 19-year-old then forced Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to turn a powerful shot on to the crossbar in a strong finish from the German side, whose coach Favre is under pressure due to the team's poor domestic results. But it did not tarnish what was a therapeutic win for Barca, who had come in for scathing criticism for their recent poor displays against Leganes, Levante and Slavia Prague, even though they are top of La Liga and their Champions League group. Ernesto Valverde's side lead the standings with 11 points from five games, Inter Milan are second on seven while Dortmund are third, also on seven, with Slavia bottom with two. "We were in the toughest group in the competition and once again we have qualified for the latter stages with a game to spare," said Valverde. "Our first objective was to qualify as group winners but we also wanted to show a real improvement in our play," added Suarez.

Champions League: Messi scores in 700th match as Barcelona ease into knockout stages

Philippe Coutinho joins Bayern Munich: New challenges await Brazilian star

La Liga champions Barcelona's domestic struggles continued as they dropped points for the third game in a row, drawing 1-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday after Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets had begun the match on the substitutes' bench.

Substitute Munir El Haddadi averted a first home defeat for Barca in more than two years by sliding in an equaliser in the 84th minute, meeting a cross by Messi who had been sent on along with Busquets in the second half as Barca chased the game.

Oscar de Marcos had given Athletic a deserved lead in the 41st minute with a volley after Inaki Williams had missed two clear chances to score for the Basque side, who had not picked up a point at the Nou Camp since 2004 when current Barca coach Ernesto Valverde was in charge.

Barca are top of the table with 14 points after seven games but will lose their lead if Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in a city derby later on Saturday.

Despite drawing at home to Girona and losing at minnows Leganes after starting without key first-teamers such as Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Samuel Umtiti, Barca coach Valverde made the eye-catching decision to field a team without midfield anchor Busquets and all-time top scorer Messi.

The Catalans made a strong start and had an early penalty appeal waved away when Philippe Coutinho went over in the area but Athletic, who were beaten 3-0 at home by Villarreal in mid-week, soon started to put their stamp on the game.

Williams narrowly missed the target as he struck a bouncing ball around the area and the forward later rounded Marc-Andre ter Stegen but failed to capitalise.

Barca had sporadic chances down the other end, as Suarez struck wide from a free kick and was then thwarted by goalkeeper Unai Simon at point blank range, but Athletic made it third time lucky when De Marcos slid to convert Markel Susaeta’s cross.

Messi was brought on 10 minutes into the second period to a rousing reception from the home fans and Barca’s play instantly improved, with the Argentine smashing a shot against the post and narrowly firing wide, after Coutinho had struck the crossbar.

Athletic’s resistance finally caved in when Munir turned in Messi’s low cross and Ivan Rakitic had a final chance to win it late on for the Catalans, but sent the ball flying over the bar.

La Liga champions Barcelona's domestic struggles continued as they dropped points for the third game in a row, drawing 1-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday after Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets had begun the match on the substitutes' bench.

La Liga champions Barcelona's domestic struggles continued as they dropped points for the third game in a row, drawing 1-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday after Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets had begun the match on the substitutes' bench. Substitute Munir El Haddadi averted a first home defeat for Barca in more than two years by sliding in an equaliser in the 84th minute, meeting a cross by Messi who had been sent on along with Busquets in the second half as Barca chased the game. Oscar de Marcos had given Athletic a deserved lead in the 41st minute with a volley after Inaki Williams had missed two clear chances to score for the Basque side, who had not picked up a point at the Nou Camp since 2004 when current Barca coach Ernesto Valverde was in charge. Barca are top of the table with 14 points after seven games but will lose their lead if Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in a city derby later on Saturday. Despite drawing at home to Girona and losing at minnows Leganes after starting without key first-teamers such as Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Samuel Umtiti, Barca coach Valverde made the eye-catching decision to field a team without midfield anchor Busquets and all-time top scorer Messi. The Catalans made a strong start and had an early penalty appeal waved away when Philippe Coutinho went over in the area but Athletic, who were beaten 3-0 at home by Villarreal in mid-week, soon started to put their stamp on the game. Williams narrowly missed the target as he struck a bouncing ball around the area and the forward later rounded Marc-Andre ter Stegen but failed to capitalise. Barca had sporadic chances down the other end, as Suarez struck wide from a free kick and was then thwarted by goalkeeper Unai Simon at point blank range, but Athletic made it third time lucky when De Marcos slid to convert Markel Susaeta’s cross. Messi was brought on 10 minutes into the second period to a rousing reception from the home fans and Barca’s play instantly improved, with the Argentine smashing a shot against the post and narrowly firing wide, after Coutinho had struck the crossbar. Athletic’s resistance finally caved in when Munir turned in Messi’s low cross and Ivan Rakitic had a final chance to win it late on for the Catalans, but sent the ball flying over the bar.

Football: Barcalona's struggles continue with home draw to Athletic Bilbao

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