GOAL! Mathieu doubles Barcelona's lead with a late own-goal! Space opens up for Suarez, allowing the midfielder to sprint into the left-hand side of the Sporting box before crossing. The ball looks set to find Alcacer, but Mathieu cuts out the pass only to knock it straight into the back of the net. Of all the people to score the own-goal, it had to be the former Barcelona man!
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
89'
Alcacer almost makes it 2-0! More wonderful play by Messi sees the Argentine poke a clever pass into the penalty area and towards Alcacer, who knocks a deflected shot past Patricio but, crucially, just inches wide of the far post.
87'
Almost a late chance for Dost! A lovely chipped cross is knocked into the heart of the Barcelona box by Fernandes and almost picks out Dost, who rises high but can't quite reach the ball ahead of Cillessen.
85'
With just five minutes left to play, it looks as if all three points are safely in Barcelona's pocket. The home side are comfortably managing to keep the ball away from Sporting, who have improved since introducing Martins and Dost but, overall, haven't quite showed enough attacking intent.
83'
Great chance for Dost to equalise! Sporting break quickly over on the left wing, where Acuna bursts forward before delivering a clever, looping cross. It sails right over to Dost, who quickly shoots but ends up sending his downward, bouncing volley a yard or two over the top of the crossbar.
81'
Another opportunity for Messi! The Argentine goes close to doubling Barcelona's lead, and all but confirming the victory, with a thumping strike from the edge of the penalty area, but it can't quite find the target and flies just wide of the Sporting goal.
79'
Almost a chance for Messi! Barcelona are comfortably bossing the game as they patiently knock the ball from one flank to the other. Busquets eventually launches a wonderful lofted pass over the visitors' defence and into the path of Messi, who sticks out a foot but can't quite latch onto the ball in front of goal.
77'
Digne makes another clever run into the left-hand side of the Sporting penalty area as he tries to latch onto a lovely pass from Messi. He gets the better of his marker and looks set to reach the ball, but, despite his best efforts, he can't quite stop it from rolling behind for a goal-kick.
75'
Paulinho enters the game and replaces L. Suárez.
Barcelona have made their third and final alteration of the evening, with Luis Suarez making way for Paulinho.
Minute
Description
74'
Messi goes close! Barcelona move the ball around nicely as they work their way along the visitors' box. It initially looks as if Gomes is going to shoot but he instead knocks the ball over to Messi, who then unleashes a thumping strike sails just a yard or two wide of the near post.
72'
Another wonderful pass from Messi penetrates the left-hand side of the Sporting penalty area picks out Lucas Digne in a really good position. The full-back quickly tries to pick out Alcacer in front of goal, but his fizzed pass is just about pushed away by Patricio before the ball can reach the striker.
70'
More good play by Barcelona over on the right wing almost results in a chance for Barcelona to make it 2-0, but Luis Suarez, with his back to goal, is quickly closed down by green and white shirts and loses out before he can spin and tee up a team-mate.
68'
Lovely play by Barcelona! Unsurprisingly, Messi has made a huge impact since coming onto the pitch. This time he gets himself into a great position just inside the box before setting up Luis Suarez with a lovely poked pass. The Uruguayan then tries to pick out Alcacer with his quick cut back, but Patricio gets a hand on the ball to stop it from finding the goalscorer.
66'
Semedo gets himself into a really good position over on the right flank after Sporting leave a huge amount of space available to the full-back. He charges down the wing and whips a lovely ball into the box, but a slight touch just about manages to knock it away from Alcacer.
64'
Fábio Coentrão enters the game and replaces Bruno César.
Sergio Busquets enters the game and replaces Piqué.
Fabio Coentrao, on loan from Real Madrid, is understandably booed as he comes on to replace Cesar.
Meanwhile, Pique has made way for Sergio Busquets for Barcelona.
63'
Messi makes a really clever run into the right-hand side of the Sporting box as he latches onto a well-placed through-ball from Luis Suarez. He then takes on Patricio, but the linesman's flag is raised before he can get a shot away from close range.
62'
What a save by Cillessen! Dost is left all alone in the heart of the Barcelona penalty area and manages to latch onto a swerving cross. He looks set to equalise for Sporting from a few yards out, but, somehow, Cillessen is able to make himself big and stop the first-time volley with a wonderful piece of goalkeeping.
61'
L. Messi enters the game and replaces Aleix Vidal.
A huge roar erupts around Camp Nou as Lionel Messi comes on to replace Vidal. They've certainly needed him tonight!
59'
Paco Alcácer has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by Denis Suárez.
GOAL! Barcelona have taken the lead! A curling cross from a corner swerves towards the edge of the six-yard box and perfectly picks out Alcacer, who rises high above his marker and beats Patricio with an excellent glancing header.
That was a really good delivery from Denis Suarez, and exactly what Barcelona needed. The stadium has been incredibly quiet for most of the night, but that goal has certainly perked them up.
57'
Very little. Luis Suarez steps up and shoots from the set-piece, but his thumping strike flies straight into the wall of Sporting players camped in front of him and fails to test Patricio.
56'
A thumping long-range shot from Rakitic is blocked on the edge of the Sporting penalty area and deflects out to Semedo, who tries to latch onto the ball but receives a high boot into the chest from Cesar, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a free-kick to the hosts just a few yards outside of the box. What can they do with this?
54'
Sporting come back once again, this time through Acuna over on the left wing. The Argentine sprints down the flank and curls a looping cross into the Barcelona box, but it's overhit and fails to find the head of Dost in front of goal.
52'
And now Martins goes close! The substitute has already made a great impact after coming off the bench. He picks up a lofted pass just outside of the penalty area, skips past three players and manages to get a shot away, but his strike is a rushed one and fails to hit the target. That was much better from Sporting.
50'
Chance for Vidal! Luis Suarez bursts through the middle of the pitch on a marauding run and does really well to reach the Sporting box. He then pokes a pass over to Vidal and sets him up to shoot, but the number 22 holds onto the ball for slightly too long before shooting and eventually fires a deflected shot over the top of the crossbar.
48'
Sporting enjoy a decent start to the second half and manage to win themselves a throw-in deep down the left wing. The ball is launched into the penalty area and momentarily pinballs around dangerously, but Barcelona are eventually able to clear the danger before a shot is unleashed.
46'
Gelson Martins enters the game and replaces S. Ristovski.
B. Dost enters the game and replaces A. Ruiz.
Sporting have decided to make two substitutions as they try to find a way in front. The first player to come on is Bas Dost, who replaces Ruiz.
And the second is Gelson Martins, with Stefan Ristovski making way.
We're underway once again!
45'
Barcelona push forward on one final attacking move before the half-time break as they desperately try to find a way in front. It initially looks as Luis Suarez is going to be able to get a shot away from the left-hand side of the penalty area, but he's closed down well by a group of defenders and loses out once again.
44'
Space opens up over on the left wing, allowing Acuna to burst down the flank and into a decent position not far outside of the Barcelona box. He then fires a low cross into the penalty area and towards the near post, but it's sent too near to Cillessen and is easily collected by the goalkeeper.
42'
Better play by Barcelona almost results in another chance on goal for Alcacer after the striker plays a nice one-two with Gomes, but, once again, Piccini is there to stick out a leg and stop the ball from finding the Spaniard at the near post.
40'
Acuna is caught in possession deep down the left wing, allowing Rakitic to kick-start a quick Barcelona counter-attack. He swiftly picks out Luis Suarez and sets up the Uruguayan to fire a lofted pass towards Alcacer, who tries to latch onto the ball on the edge of the box but loses out to a well-timed interception from Piccini.
38'
Almost an opportunity for Vidal! Denis Suarez embarks on a wonderful run as he weaves his way through a sea of Sporting players. He manages to make it to the edge of the box and pokes a pass over towards Vidal, but the latter can't quite latch onto the ball in front of goal.
36'
The resulting set-piece is sent short and worked to Acuna, who quickly tries to fizz a low pass into the penalty area but has to settle for a throw-in. It's launched into the box and only cleared as far as Fernandes, who immediately shoots but sends his tame effort straight into the hands of Cillessen.
35'
Nélson Semedo gets yellow.
Sporting break away on a quick counter-attack that looks set to result in a chance on goal, but Semedo pulls off a cynical challenge to deny the Portuguese side the chance to shoot and gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position before being booked.
34'
With little over 10 minutes left to go until the half-time break, Sporting are starting to get more involved in the game. Barcelona have found it difficult to carve out too many chances on goal and are now finding themselves being put under a bit of pressure at the other end.
32'
Ruiz showcases good skills as he takes on Nelson Semedo over on the left flank, and he does well to win Sporting a rare corner. It's curled in by Bruno Cesar and almost finds a green and white shirt in front of goal, but Pique is just about able to get a head on the ball ahead of Sebastian Coates.
30'
A. Ruiz gets yellow.
Ouch! Alan Ruiz dives into Pique as the defender makes his way down the right wing and sends him crashing to the ground with a hefty sliding challenge, resulting in the Argentine receiving the first yellow card of the game.
28'
Good play between Denis Suarez, Alcacer and Luis Suarez almost results in a chance on goal for the latter after he bursts into the visitors' penalty area, but he can't quite latch onto his strike partner's chipped pass and Sporting hold on once again.
26'
Rakitic storms into the Sporting half of the pitch but quickly loses the ball, allowing Sporting to counter-attack quickly. It initially looks as if they're going to be able to carve out a chance on goal, but a poor final ball allows Pique to knock the ball back to Cillessen to clear.
24'
Great save by Patricio! Gomes is bundled over by Carvalho in the middle of the pitch, resulting in a free-kick for Barcelona. It's taken quickly and sent over to Luis Suarez, who immediately bursts into the Sporting penalty area and shoots. He's unable to get the better of Patricio, however, as the goalkeeper darts out to save the Uruguayan's poked effort with his leg.
22'
It's been a frustrating opening 22 minutes for Barcelona, who are bossing possession but doing little with it. Luis Suarez is struggling to get too involved in the game, with Sporting comfortably managing to hold off each of the hosts' attempted attacks.
20'
Another chance for Gomes! William Carvalho is caught sleeping on the ball not far outside of the Sporting penalty area, and he has his pocket picked by Gomes. The midfielder immediately sprints towards the box and shoots, and this time his effort bounces just wide of the near post.
18'
Suarez picks up the ball midway inside the Sporting half of the pitch and quickly darts into the Sporting box on a marauding run. He then does well to pick out Andre Gomes on the edge of the penalty area, but the Portuguese can't hit the target with his thumping strike.
16'
Sporting patiently pass the ball around inside the Barcelona half of the pitch as they try to find an opening in front of them. They're unable to do so and Bruno Fernandes instead decides to shoot from 30 yards out, but his low effort easily sails straight into the hands of Jasper Cillessen.
14'
Rakitic is tripped over on the left flank, resulting in a free-kick for Barcelona in a promising position. It's the midfielder who whips a cross into the penalty area, but his ball into the box is underhit and fails to cause too many problems for Sporting.
12'
Almost a chance for Alcacer! Vidal does really well to skip down the right wing before cutting a lovely pass back to Alcacer. The striker looks set to force Patricio into making a save, but Cristiano Piccini is just about able to cut out the danger before he can unleash a shot.
10'
Luis Suarez does wonderfully well to dart into the left-hand side of the visitors' penalty area after managing to shrug off two Sporting defenders. He heads to the byline and then fizzes a pass into the six-yard box, but there's nobody there to meet it and give Barcelona an early lead with a tap-in.
8'
After another attempted Barcelona attacking move fails to come to anything, Sporting push forward on their first attack of the night. Acuna gets himself into a decent position deep down the left flank and quickly fires a cross into the box, but it's slightly underhit and fails to find a way past Gerard Pique.
6'
More sloppy play by Sporting almost results in another chance on goal for the home side, who are looking comfortable at the moment. Vidal tries to take advantage of the error as he attempts to skip past Marcos Acuna, but the Argentine deals with him well and wins the ball back for his side.
4'
An absolutely terrible pass from former Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu is poked across the edge of the Sporting penalty area and can only pick out Ivan Rakitic. The Croatian tries his best to set up Paco Alcacer to shoot, but the striker can't quite get a shot away and the visitors are able to hold on.
2'
Barcelona immediately go on the front foot and are almost able to carve out an early chance on goal. Aleix Vidal makes a clever run into the right-hand side of the Sporting box before firing a pass across the face of goal, but it's cut out by Rui Patricio before it can pick out a team-mate.
1'
We're off! Barcelona get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Champions League group stage game between Barcelona and Sporting CP at Camp Nou.
For Barcelona, the job was done away to Juventus two weeks ago. A goalless draw against last season’s Champions League finalists means their place in the knockout stage of the competition is secured heading into tonight’s sixth and final group stage clash. They’re also confirmed to go through as group winners, as their earlier win against the Old Lady means that even a defeat this evening won’t see them slip below the Italian giants.
Despite being unbeaten in their last 21 games across all competitions, Barcelona arguably haven’t been at their best in recent weeks and head into today’s contest with just one win from their last four outings. They remain unbeaten in LaLiga and now have a five-point advantage over nearest challengers Valencia, but after a few slightly underwhelming performances, Ernesto Valverde will be hoping his side can return to winning ways with a bang tonight.
While Barcelona are safely through, the same cannot be said for their opponents. Sporting have battled hard after being drawn in a very tough group, and, with one game left to play, they’re still in with a shot of reaching the knockout stage. Their fate is largely out of their hands, however, as they need to win and hope that Juventus are beaten by Olympiacos to confirm their place in the last-16 for the first time since 2009.
Unlike Barcelona, Sporting have been in fine form recently as they continue to put a huge amount of pressure on Porto at the top of the Primeira Liga. The Lions have won all of their last four outings and remain unbeaten domestically in their previous 19 competitive fixtures, with only Juventus and Barcelona managing to get the better of them over the last six months. Their defeat against the Blaugrana was a narrow one, with the two teams being separated by a single own-goal.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this this evening…
Ernesto Valverde has decided to make eight changes to the Barcelona side that drew with Celta Vigo on the weekend, with Jasper Cillessen, Nelson Semedo, Thomas Vermaelen, Lucas Digne, Aleix Vidal, Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez and Paco Alcacer coming into a heavily altered starting line-up to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Paulinho and Lionel Messi.
Meanwhile, Sporting boss Jorge Jesus has made four alterations to the team that featured in their last outing, with Fabio Coentrao, Gelson Martins, Daniel Podence and Bas Dost making way for Stefan Ristovski, Rodrigo Battaglia, Bruno Cesar and Alan Ruiz, respectively.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 0-0 SPORTING CP
It's safe to say it hasn't been the best of games so far. Barcelona have enjoyed the vast majority of the possession but have done very little with it, resulting in Patricio having a lot less to do than he would have been expecting heading into tonight's clash. At the other end, Sporting have looked decent on a few occasions but, overall, have failed to make the home side work, leaving Ruiz with little to do in an attacking sense.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: BARCELONA 2-0 SPORTING CP
Barcelona weren't at their best this evening but, in truth, they didn't need to be. They were lacklustre in the first half but looked better after the break, with Messi - unsurprisingly - making a huge impact after coming off the substitutes' bench. Sporting also improved in the second half but still struggled to carve out too many chances on goal, denying the opportunity to find a way back into the game.
Commentary
More…