FC Barcelona earned a far from convincing 2-1 win at home to a depleted Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday as Lionel Messi scored a penalty for the third Champions League game in a row with the Spaniards maintaining their winning start to the group stage.

The Argentine tucked away a penalty in the fifth minute while Gerard Pique netted in the second half, glancing in a fine cross from Ansu Fati.

Dynamo gave a decent account of themselves and spurned a couple of chances to equalise as well as having a goal from a corner ruled out due to the ball going out of play.

They deservedly pulled a late goal back in the 75th minute when Viktor Tsygankov slid the ball into the net, pouncing on a rebound after Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could only parry a shot from Benjamin Verbic.

Barca coach Ronald Koeman did not attempt to gloss over the sloppy performance.

“We suffered more than in any other game so far,” said the Dutchman. “I’m happy with the result but not with certain aspects of our game and luckily we had Ter Stegen around. Thanks to Marc, who was phenomenal, we held on.”

Morata shines

In Budapest, Alvaro Morata scored twice before two defensive mistakes helped Juventus to a 4-1 win at Ferencvaros as they bounced back from last week’s defeat by Barcelona.

“Games can become easy only if you play well,” said captain Giorgio Chiellini.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said his side’s 3-0 victory over 10-man Stade Rennais showed the progress they were making.

Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games after striker Timo Werner hammered in two first-half penalties and Tammy Abraham also scored following Rennes defender Dalbert Henrique’s dismissal.

“It shows the direction we’re going. We did the right things in every aspectd,” Lampard said after the Group E match.

“The professional elements of our game were good against a good opposition. We couldn’t underestimate them and we saw when it was 11 versus 11 that they’re a physical, technical team.”