Lionel Messi came on at half-time to rescue Barcelona by scoring twice, including his first goal from open play this season, in a 5-2 victory over Real Betis in a La Liga match at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday.
Messi had been rested by Ronald Koeman but was thrown on with the game in the balance after Antoine Griezmann missed a penalty in the Argentinian's absence, before Antonio Sanabria cancelled out Ousmane Dembele's opener.
But within four minutes of his introduction, Messi gave Griezmann an open goal with a superb dummy and then scored twice himself, the first a penalty that saw Betis' Aissa Mandi sent off for a handball on the line.
Lionel Messi (C) of FC Barcelona passes the ball during a La Liga match against Real Betis at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, November 7, 2020. /VCG
In between, Loren Moron had given Betis brief hope but Messi's second and a late strike from Pedri ensured Barcelona ended their four-match winless run and climbed to eighth in La Liga.
Messi gave a resounding answer to those suggesting his performances this season have been evidence of decline.
"Leo finished the match against Kiev with some problems," said Koeman. "He wasn't in a position to play in the first half but we talked about him being on the bench and said he would come on if he felt good."
Manchester United's Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League game against Everton in Liverpool, England, November 7, 2020. /VCG
In the Premier League, Manchester United eased the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 3-1 win at Everton, with Bruno Fernandes scoring twice and Edinson Cavani grabbing his first for the club, while Leeds United suffered another heavy defeat with a 4-1 reverse at Crystal Palace.
Frank Lampard's Chelsea are beginning to bear the fruits from a summer of heavy investment in the transfer market after a 4-1 win over Sheffield United moved them up to third in the Premier League.
Despite a 220-million-pound transfer splurge, the Blues did not hit the ground running as they won just two of their opening six league games of the season.
However, they have now won four in a row in all competitions with three of the new signings, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Timo Werner on the scoresheet on Saturday, while another Hakim Ziyech won man-of-the-match for two assists.
Bayern Munich's forward Robert Lewandowski (R) and Dortmund's midfielder Thomas Meunier vie for the ball during the Bundesliga game in Dortmund, Germany, November 7, 2020. /VCG
In the meantime, Bayern Munich continued their recent dominance over old rivals Borussia Dortmund, coming from behind to win 3-2 away in the Bundesliga with Robert Lewandowski scoring his 11th goal of the season.
Paris St Germain suffered more injury woes as they thrashed visitors Stade Rennes 3-0 to extend their advantage at the top of Ligue 1 to five points.
(With input from agencies)