Barcelona forward Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's first goal during a Group B Champions League soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) - Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Barcelona beat PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Wednesday to secure top spot in Champions League Group B with one match left to play.
Barcelona was already qualified for the next round before kicking off at PSV Stadium and was uncharacteristically scrappy at times until a moment of Messi magic finally gave his team the lead in the 61st minute.
The Argentina star scored his 106th Champions League goal after a trademark dribble took him past a group of PSV defenders and gave him time to unleash a powerful shot past Jeroen Zoet.
In the group's other match, Tottenham beat Inter Milan 1-0 at Wembley and those teams will fight for second place in the last round. Tottenham faces Barcelona in its last group match while Inter hosts PSV.
Messi has now scored 10 goals in five Champions League matches against Dutch opponents, including his hat trick against PSV in their Group B opener this season.
He also turned supplier for Barcelona's second, taking a free kick that Gerard Pique deflected past Zoet.
PSV effectively countered Barcelona's threat for much of the first half and was unlucky not to go into the break at least one goal in front after twice hitting the frame of the goal.
Gaston Pereiro hit the post after 16 minutes and Luuk de Jong saw his looping header rebound off the crossbar shortly before halftime.
Captain Luuk de Jong grabbed a consolation goal for the home fans with an 83rd-minute header to set up a frenetic late assault, but despite pouring forward PSV could not find an equalizer.
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More at https://www.apnews.com/ChampionsLeague
Barcelona defender Nelson Semedo, left, runs to congratulate Barcelona forward Lionel Messi who scored his side's first goal during a Group B Champions League soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
Barcelona defender Nelson Semedo runs to congratulate Barcelona forward Lionel Messi who scored his side's first goal during a Group B Champions League soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi scores his side's first goal passing PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet during a Group B Champions League soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi passes PSV's Pablo Rosario, rear, and PSV's Daniel Schwaab, left, during a Group B Champions League soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet clears the ball before Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet can head the ball during a Group B Champions League soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press