LIONEL MESSI and Barcelona extended their lead at the top of Champions League Group D with another Euro victory.
Messi scored one and made one for Lucas Digne – while Olympiakos man Dimitris Nikolaou scored at both ends – meaning Gerard Pique’s red did not spoil the night.
The Nou Camp roared into life with the opener, Sergi Roberto steamed down the right wing and teed up Gerard Deulofeu.
The teasing cross from ex-Everton man lured Nikolaou into sticking out a lazy leg that diverted the ball into the net.
That came seven minutes after what should have been a rare blip for Pique after he was booked for a cynical tug on Odjidja-Ofoe, who had spun the defender and looked to break down the left.
On 22 minutes Barca had their first disallowed goal ruled out after Iniesta played in an offside Paulinho to jab home illegally.
And 20 minutes later they had another effort chalked off with far greater consequences.
Again Deulofeu delivered and the ex-Manchester United man burst into the box to blatantly handle the ball home.
Referee William Collum had no choice but to dismiss himself three minutes before half-time and he will now miss the trip to Greece.
But – as is so often the case for club and Argentina – Messi stepped up to save the day.
Nikolaou completed a miserable night by fouling the world’s best player on the edge of the Olympiakos box.
Chasing his 100th European goal, the Barca master whipped a saveable freekick over the wall and past a befuddled Silvio Proto.
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Referee William Collum had no choice but to dismiss himself three minutes before half-time and he will now miss the trip to Greece.
But – as is so often the case for club and Argentina – Messi stepped up to save the day.
Nikolaou completed a miserable night by fouling the world’s best player on the edge of the Olympiakos box.
Chasing his 100th European goal, the Barca master whipped a saveable freekick over the wall and past a befuddled Silvio Proto.
And, three minutes later, Messi turned provider when he raced the byline before finding Lucas Digne lurking at the back post.
The Frenchman had the time to settle himself before firing back into the far corner.
Nikolaou got some personal pride back and a goal for his side when he rose highest at a late corner to head home a peach.
Barcelona have now won 20 of their last 22 Champions League home games, drawing the other two. They have lost just one home Champions League fixture since October 2009 (3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich)
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