Half-Time Report: Javier Hernandez cancels out Lionel Messi opener

A Javier Hernandez equaliser has cancelled out Lionel Messi's opener to ensure that the scores are level between Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona at the break this evening.

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With a place in the knockout stages at stake, the hosts made a bright start to proceedings. Hakan Calhanoglu flashed an early effort wide, before the Turkish midfielder forced a low save from Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen from distance.

Barcelona improved from the quarter-hour mark, when young forward Sandro forced a comfortable save from Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno after some good work from Lionel Messi.

The visitors broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, as Ivan Rakitic played a precise through-ball into the path of Messi, who placed a finish beyond the reach of Leno.

Barca's lead lasted just three minutes, as the hosts netted a deserved equaliser through Hernandez, who connected with a left-wing Calhanoglu cross to fire past Ter Stegen.

Luis Enrique's side came agonisingly close to regaining the lead before the half-hour mark, when Jordi Alba picked out Messi in a good position, only for the striker to fire narrowly wide.

The hosts almost took the lead before the break, as Calhanoglu tried his luck from outside the Barca box, only for Ter Stegen to produce a comfortable stop.