Lionel Messi's Barcelona edged past a scrappy Slavia Praha side with a 2-1 win on Wednesday night.



Messi opened the scoring in the third minute but it took a second-half own goal to separate the two sides in the end.

Barca would not have been expecting their night to turn into such a slog, as they were made to graft for what should have been a routine three points.

Ultimately, it proved to be nothing more than a scare as the Catalans extended their lead at the top of Group F.

The Czech team really gave everything to the tie and pushed the Spanish giants right to the last.

Losing to an own goal will undoubtedly hurt, but Slavia can hold their heads high after a brilliant performance.

One moment, in particular, will be remembered fondly by all in Slavia colours.

Many a defender can testify that tackling Messi is far easier said than it is ever done, so when David Hovorka nailed a perfect slide tackle on the Argentinean, he celebrated accordingly.

Unfortunately, as you may well notice, the slide left Hovorka with an almighty wedgie and he perhaps revealed more about his anatomy than he was hoping too.

https://twitter.com/czechfooty/status/1187094495084593152


Oh dear.

In truth, he probably won't care in the slightest.

It is not every day that you land a perfect tackle on the mythical legend that is Lionel Messi.

Those Slavia lads were up for the fight and you couldn't help but pity them after the final whistle rang out.

Hovorka will have another opportunity to get at Messi when they travel to the Camp Nou in two weeks time, though.

We can only hope the man has adjusted his shorts before he celebrates anything too widely in Spain.