(CNN) — Pep Guardiola finally tasted his first competitive win as Barcelona manager after his side beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 in their opening Champions League Group C match at the Nou Camp.
Barca had made their worst start for 35 years with just one point from the first two league matches — but last season’s semifinalists kicked off their European campaign with a much-needed win.
Rafael Marquez and Samuel Eto’o, two of the survivors from their 2006 Champions League triumph, gave Barca a commanding 2-0 lead after an hour and Xavi scored late on to ease nerves after Tonel had pulled a goal back for Sporting.
Mexican international Marquez provided the breakthrough on 20 minutes brilliantly directing his header across goal for Barca’s first goal from open play this season.
Eto’o doubled the lead from the penalty spot after the Cameroon striker was pushed in the area.
Tonel pulled one back on 70 minutes as Barca failed to defend a set-piece but Xavi raced onto a deft Andres Iniesta pass to slide home the third.
Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielders Fernandinho and Jadson scored with first-half long-range free-kicks to give Shakhtar Donetsk a 2-1 win at Basel in the other group match.
Fernandinho rifled his rising shot into the net from 40 meters out in the 25th minute, and Jadson’s spinning cross bounced untouched into the net at the end of the half, as the Ukrainian champions opened with a win.
Basel’s Argentine defender David Abraham scored from close range in stoppage time, but it proved only a consolation goal.
