Messi lights up SuperCup gloom

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi lit up the European Super Cup on Friday as Champions League winners Barcelona defeated UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 after extra-time to claim the trophy.

Messi had the best opportunities in a disappointing match played on a tricky pitch at the Stade Louis II and it was fitting that he played the pivotal role in the night’s only goal.

With five minutes of extra-time left, and with a penalty shootout beckoning, Messi played a delightful one-two, between a line of defenders, with Pedro Rodriguez before the 22-year-old substitute slotted the ball past Andriy Pyatov in the Ukrainians’ goal.

It was Barcelona’s third SuperCup and already their second piece of silverware of the season having captured the Spanish Super Cup.

Barcelona, who face a major battle to hold on to their Spanish title in the face of Real Madrid’s chequebook power, were the better of the two sides throughout.

In a poor first-half, Thierry Henry flashed a shot over the crossbar of Pyatov while the Shakhtar goalkeeper was also quick to pull off a save, low down from Messi.

It wasn’t until the 74th minute that a goal looked as if it might arrive.

Pyatov parried away a powerful drive from Messi and then back-pedalled smartly to tip over a clever chip from Henry.

Ten minutes from time, Barcelona newboy Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had struggled all night to make any sort of impression, was replaced by Pedro Rodriguez.

In a stormy conclusion to the 90 minutes, Messi and Olexandr Kucher were booked for squaring up to each other in the penalty area.

Shakhtar brought on striker Julius Aghahowa at the start of extra-time and he had his side’s best chance 10 minutes later, bringing Victor Valdes’s only meaningful save of the night.

Barcelona start the defence of their Spanish title on Monday against Sporting Gijon and could have Shakhtar defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy in their starting line-up.

The 22-year-old had already become a Barcelona player before Friday’s match but was allowed a farewell appearance alongside his Shakhtar teammates.