Dynamo Kiev 1-2 Barcelona

Barcelona advance to the last sixteen of the Champions League as group winners in a come from behind defeat of Dynamo Kiev.

Leo Messi’s eighty-eight minuet set piece strike was the difference between the sides on a freezing night in Kiev.

Inside the first minuet the Ukrainians secured a free kick just outside the box; on the left side. Andrei Shevchenko thundered a low strike into the six yard area; his shot was glanced on by Milevskiy, under Valdes and over the line. The locals were sent into raptures and the open structured stadium could not have been louder.

The early goal allowed for play to open up.  Barça sustained their signature poise in possession as the home team relied on counter attacks to take the ball from their half. Twelve minuets in Shovkovskiy’s short goal kick found Messi. He dribbled toward goal but the goalie down low to recover possession.

Barcelona held onto the ball as Dynamo appeared content to defend. Every time their attacks were stopped the Ukrainians kicked the ball back attempting to create the counter. Despite allowing shot after shot on target, Kiev kept the lead. Ibrahimovic and Messi have had few chances on goal as Barca struggled to release the strikers in the box.

Almost predictably, in the thirty-second minuet as the home fans’ whistles grew deafening,  Barça passed and walked effortlessly with the ball before Abidal advanced unmarked along the left, sending a pin-pointed low pass for Xavi to slide, and guide in.

This was Barcelona’s reward for their total domination.

In the final moments of the half, Milevskiy provided a rare spark of attack for Dynamo with a sprint along the right wing. His attempted cross was blocked by the glove on Pique’s hand. The defender received the first card of the match. But the resulting free kick was wasted as Shevchenko blasted at the feet of the wall.

Kiev threatened again in the fifty-third minuet with another Shevchenko free kick. His ball came from the left to the far post where Almeida sent a header goal ward. It missed to the right.

A beautiful run by Messi was stopped with the ball spilling to Xavi. He could not test the goal. The Ukrainian fans grew restless as they knew their side were eighteen minuets from exiting the competition. However the Catalan’s sideways passing and skilful back-heeling is too much for Dynamo.

The exhibitionism continued as Messi danced his way through the opposing defence. The run was ended by Mikhalik. An eighty-seventh minuet free kick was awarded twenty-five yards from goal. Messi curled the ball with his left foot. It reached over Shovkovskiy’s outstretched hand, kissing the crossbar and in.

Three minuets later Xavi released Messi again. He took the ball deep into the box but hit straight at the goal keeper. The man of the match showed some more skill before was forced to leave the pitch with a slight injury.

Dynamo will have to settle for domestic football for the rest of the season. Their fourth place in the group does not even merit a place in the Europa League. But  Barça advance to the last sixteen in the Champions League and will be seeded for the draw. With more performances like tonight they will be confident of  defending their title as European Champions.

Dynamo Kiev:  Shovkovskiy; Eremenko; Yussuf; Magrao (Nickovik); Almeida; Mikhalik (yellow); Vukojevic; Shevchenko (yellow); Yarmolenko; Milevskiy.

Barcelona:  Valdes; Alves; Pique (yellow); Puyol; Abidal; Xavi (yellow); Busquets; Keita; Messi; Iniesta (Rodriguez); Ibrahimovic.