Barcelona 2-0 Porto: Lionel Messi does it again and Cesc Fabregas hits debut goal as Catalans claim UEFA Super Cup

The Argentine gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead late in the first half and the club's most recent signing opened his account to secure victory close to the end.

Lionel Messi's goal late in the first half and Cesc Fabregas' first for his new side gave Barcelona a 12th title under Pep Guardiola and a second already in 2011-12 with a 2-0 victory over Porto in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco on Friday evening.

Messi, named European Player of the Year at UEFA's Champions League draw on Thursday, scored in the only competition in which he had failed to net after he was left all alone by Fredy Guarin's shocking pass-back six minutes before the interval.

Europa League holders Porto started brightly against the Champions League winners, with Hulk a lively presence up front for the Portuguese outfit. Aided by the busy Guarin, Porto rattled their illustrious opponents in the opening exchanges.

Porto was playing the Catalans at their own game, and every time Pep Guardiola's men ventured forward, they were caught out by their rivals' offside trap.

But it doesn't take long for Barca to figure out Porto.

Barca took the lead as Guarin inexplicably played a back-pass into his area where Messi, who would have been offside had the ball been sent through by a teammate, was waiting all alone to pounce, leaving Helton grounded with a glorious feint and slotting into the empty net.

Flashback to 2003, Messi had missed a similar opportunity in his Barcelona debut, but this time he left the Portuguese team with an uphill task.

Barca was the better side and continued to attack in the second half and that pressure brought a rash challenge from Rolando, already booked, who then saw red after a cynical foul on Messi.

And the Catalans took quick advantage as Mess turned provider for Fabregas, who chested down Messi's pinpoint cross and volleyed past Helton to register his first goal in some style.

It could have been three after that, but Barca was comfortable in the end as they lifted a 12th title under Guardiola - and two in two games for Fabregas.

Diego Maradona & Lionel Messi are both better than Pele - Argentina assistant coach Julian Camino

The nation's assistant boss stated his belief that the former Napoli hero and current Barcelona superstar are a step above the legendary Brazilian on the pitch

The much awaited international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela, to be held in Kolkata, is only two weeks awa, taking place on September 2, and Argentina assistant coach Julian Camino came to Kolkata on Thursday to check the security arrangements, the technical aspects of the venue and select an alternative training ground. 

Camino is being accompanied by Alberto Oscar Pernas, a technical committee member of Argentina Football Association (AFA) and Rodrigo Martin Bauso and the trio visited the Mohun Bagan ground on Thursday to check whether it is fit for training.

Earlier this Friday, they carried out an official inspection of the venue of the match – the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake, Kolkata. They also visited the SAI complex and the five-star hotel in which the Argentina squad will be putting up during their stay in the City of Joy.

Camino and co. addressed the media on Friday evening but didn’t reveal much about their feedback on the inspection.

“We will form a report of our inspection and send it to our technical committee,” said Camino during the press conference.

Camino, who is interestingly a former East Bengal player, told the media that the Argentina team and Lionel Messi are very much looking forward to their visit to India and are expecting a big crowd at the match.

The former right-back also expressed his happiness on returning to Kolkata after more than two decades. He had played for the red and gold brigade back in 1988.

“Lionel Messi and Argentina are aware of their huge fan following here in India and Kolkata. They know they will be very well welcomed here. The whole team is looking forward to play in front of a large crowd.

“I have happy memories of playing here in Kolkata so it feels nice to be back here after such a long time.”

Argentina announced their 26-man squad for the friendlies against Venezuela and Nigeria (September 6) with Lionel Messi being named as the captain. Carlos Tevez is one notable absentee but when asked the reason for the Manchester City player’s exclusion, Camino told the media that he wasn’t in a position to comment: “We have named a strong team but I can’t answer regarding Tevez’s absence, only the technical director of AFA] can do that.”

The game against Venezuela will be the Argentina national team’s first match under new coach Alejandro Sabella and Camino stated that the two-time world champions will be taking the game very seriously.

“Any international match is important so the same applies for this game. We would look to give a good performance and get a good result,” he explained.

With Lionel Messi being the star attraction of this much awaited friendly, there were plenty of questions from the addressed media about the Barcelona star.

Camino refused to comment on Messi and Argentina's failure in Copa America 2011 but he did give an answer when he was asked to compare Messi and his former team-mate, the great Diego Maradona.

Argentina's past and present stars | Camino claims both are better than Pele

“Both [Maradona and Messi] are great players and it is difficult to answer this question as an Argentinean. But for me they are both better than Pele,” said the 50-year-old.

Camino and the other representatives are next expected to go to Dhaka in Bangladesh to inspect the arrangements there for Argentina’s friendly against Nigeria on September 6.