Aggregate: 6 – 3
Barcelona         5 – 2         Lyon
Henry 25, 27,                        Makoun 44, Juninho 48
Messi 40, Eto’o 43,
Keita 90+ 5

Four goals in 18 first-half minutes and a superb individual display from Thierry Henry helped FC Barcelona into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Olympique Lyonnais despite a defiant performance from the French champions.

Decisive spell
Henry, who had worked with Lyon coach Claude Puel at AS Monaco FC, put the home team in front in the 25th minute and added another composed finish two minutes later as the visitors were punished for lapses in concentration. After Lionel Messi made it 3-0, Henry set up Samuel Eto’o to thump in a fourth, although Lyon – beaten in the first knockout round for the third year in a row – refused to concede defeat, Jean II Makoun and Juninho Pernambucano restoring respectability to the scoreline with strikes either side of half-time. The latter was sent off in stoppage time, however, and appropriately Barcelona had the last word as substitute Seydou Keita scored a fifth in added time.

Lyon undone
The opening goals had carried plenty of warning but the roars which greeted them signified both joy and relief because Puel’s side had played with enthusiasm to keep Barça at bay. After the creativity of Andrés Iniesta had given Xavi Hernández and Eto’o glimpses of Hugo Lloris’s goal, once again it was Henry – author of the vital headed equaliser in the first leg – who unlocked the away defence. The opener bore the creative hallmark of Rafael Márquez. Lyon, having been encamped in their penalty area for several minutes, suddenly lost their defensive shape and surged forward. Márquez won a loose ball and instantly angled a clever chipped pass over Cris and Jean-Alain Boumsong for Henry to streak through and slide past the exposed Lloris. Two minutes later Xavi spotted the Frenchman alone and in line with the Lyon back four; speed of thought and pass left Henry to supply another assured finish. Suddenly Barça’s path to the quarter-finals looked clear.

First-half Flurry Seals Barça Passage … read more »

Thierry Henry scored on his return to France to cancel out Juninho Pernambucano’s early free-kick, as FC Barcelona came through a severe test against a vibrant Olympique Lyonnais side and will take a narrow advantage into second leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie.

Contrasting halves
Having suffered a surprise defeat against RCD Espanyol on Saturday, Josep Guardiola’s men were hoping for a reassuring performance against the French champions but quickly found themselves under intense pressure. After Juninho’s majestic set-piece on seven minutes OL created several more chances, Karim Benzema notably failing to convert a one-on-one and later striking a post. They would live to rue those misses as the visitors gradually improved, Samuel Eto’o also hitting the woodwork before Henry eventually found a way through on 69 minutes.

Familiar strike
These two sides found the net 32 times between them in the group stage so it came as little surprise to see the deadlock broken inside seven minutes. The source of the opener was also familiar as Juninho registered the 43rd free-kick goal of his Lyon career and one of his most spectacular. Positioned close to the left touchline, the Brazilian curled the ball superbly over goalkeeper Víctor Valdés, who had advanced slightly anticipating a cross, and into the top corner.

Henry Header Brings Barça Reward … read more »