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PARIS. — Lionel Messi hit the headlines on Wednesday night when his 100th European goal helped Barcelona beat Olympiacos 3-1 in the Champions League. His free-kick in the 61st minute doubled Barca’s lead and sent them on their way to a third win out of three in Group D, despite the sending off of Gerard Pique before half-time.

But there was a moment in the first-half which escaped the attentions of all but the most observant of viewers which has sparked some debate. In the 10th minute of the game the Argentine appeared to take something from his sock and put it in his mouth, but it was impossible to tell what it was from the TV cameras. But Spanish paper Sport believe they have got to the bottom of the mystery.

They report that a Catalunya Radio journalist claimed the object was a glucose tablet. He claims it was the best time to take the tablet as ‘before the first 15 minutes of physical effort is when the muscles are most receptive’. It is usual for athletes to take these tablets, but rarely is it seen during the game, instead they are often take them after the warm-up and before the game. It clearly worked for the 30-year-old as he steered Barcelona towards another win at the Nou Camp.

Though it was his 100th in European competition, it only took his Champions League total to 97, as he has scored three times in the Super Cup. It took Messi just 122 games to reach his ton. Jose Mourinho triumphed on his return to Lisbon to face the club he coached briefly in 2000 but it was Benfica’s teenage goalkeeper Mile Svilar who stole the headlines. The 18-year-old Belgian was handed a start to become the youngest ever goalkeeper in the Champions League and was at fault for the only goal of a flat game which Manchester United won 1-0. Svilar was caught out when Marcus Rashford delivered a free-kick from wide on the left on 64 minutes and he could only carry the ball over the line. Benfica’s misery was completed when captain Luisao was sent off in stoppage time.

“I never felt that we could concede a goal. Sometimes I feel to be good defensively is a crime but it is not a crime,” said Mourinho.