It was one-way traffic for much of the contest and the Barca onslaught started early.

Messi returned to the Barcelona side after missing Sunday's Primera Liga draw with Osasuna and the Argentina forward threw himself at Ronaldinho's low cross on seven minutes, but was unable to make contact.

Four minutes later, Deco forced Lyon goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre into a fine save following a one-two with Eric Abidal.

Ronaldinho then saw his improvised free-kick deflected wide by Sebastien Squillaci as the home side piled on the pressure.

At the other end, Sidney Govou almost found a way through in the Catalan penalty area, but saw his path blocked by Gabi Milito.

But Barcelona continued to dominate and Ronaldinho found space in the area on 15 minutes, firing a low shot from the left-hand side which Vercoutre did well to push wide.

Five minutes later, following their sixth corner kick, Frank Rijkaard's side took the lead.

Ronaldinho fed Messi, who skipped past two challenges and drilled a low angled shot towards Vercoutre's far post which Clerc inadvertently deflected past his goalkeeper.

After the goal, Lyon enjoyed more of the possession and won a corner on 29 minutes, but the Barcelona defence cleared comfortably.

The home fans were more concerned five minutes later when Lyon won a free-kick on the edge of the area, but breathed a sigh of relief when set-piece specialist Juninho Pernambucano fired harmlessly over the bar.

Messi then came within inches of doubling Barcelona's lead.

Ronaldinho picked out the Argentinian with a delightful chipped pass and the youngster brought the ball down with his chest, checked back and fired a left-footed shot towards goal from 12 yards out, only to see his effort deflected over the bar by Anthony Reveillere.

After the interval, Messi shot over the bar again as Barcelona began where they had left off at the end of the first period.

The Argentinian then combined with Deco, but Vercoutre came out well to clear the danger.

Henry then failed to get on the end of Gianluca Zambrotta's pass as Barcelona continued to probe.

But Lyon threatened to come back into the game and Govou headed over the bar at the other end.

Xavi then saw his fierce drive punched away by Vercoutre as the Catalans threatened again on 64 minutes.

Ronaldinho, controversially substituted by Frank Rijkaard against Osasuna, was then withdrawn again by the Dutch coach following a largely subdued display.

His replacement, Andres Iniesta, immediately set up Henry, but the Frenchman was dispossessed on the edge of the area.

A minute later, Henry did get into a dangerous position, but saw his powerful right-footed shot pushed behind for a corner by Vercoutre.

At the other end, Karim Benzema shot straight at the largely untroubled Victor Valdes in a rare French attack.

Rijkaard then introduced Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos and the youngster quickly made an impact.

Deco fed Giovani on the left and he found Iniesta in space after receiving the ball back from the Mexican.

Iniesta then advanced rapidly into the Lyon area before squaring intelligently for Messi, who rolled the ball precisely past Vercoutre to double the home side's advantage.

But there was more to come as Giovani charged clear on the right and advanced into the area in the dying seconds.

The Mexican saw his powerful shot parried by Vercoutre, but Henry was on hand to poke the ball into the empty net and score his first Barcelona goal.