Messi double gives Barca upper hand over Arsenal in Champions League

A brace from Lionel Messi has put Barcelona in the driving seat of their Champions League tie with Arsenal. Messi scored his first on 71 minutes and then converted a penalty past Petr Cech after Mathieu Flamini had fouled the Argentine in the box. It gives the Gunners a mountain to climb when they head to the Nou Camp for the return leg in three weeks. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted it’s unlikely his side can progress from the last-16 now. Elsewhere, Juventus produced an impressive second-half comeback against Bayern Munich to draw 2-2 at home.