Champions League round-up: Pedro and Messi clinch top spot for impressive Barca

Pedro Rodriguez scored in each half as Barcelona strolled into the Champions League last 16 as Group D winners with a 3-0 victory over Panathinaikos last night.

After Djibril Cissé had missed an early opportunity for the hosts, Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with Rodriguez converting Daniel Alves's threaded pass.

Second-half goals from Lionel Messi, who netted for the 10th game in succession for club and country, and Rodriguez sealed a comfortable win for Josep Guardiola's side, who are certain to finish top of Group D.

Also in Barcelona's group, Rubin Kazan beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the knockout round, captain Christian Noboa scoring from the penalty spot.

Schalke clinched their place in the last 16andtook over at the top of Group B with a 3-0 win over Lyons. Jefferson Farfan fired them into the lead in the 14th minute and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar added another six minutes later from an identical position inside the box as the visitors failed to contain Schalke's frenzied first-half pace. Huntelaar got the third in the last minute.

Benfica could not take advantage of Lyons' slip though, they were beaten 3-0by bottom club Hapoel Tel Aviv, the Israeli club's first Champions League win this season. Eran Zahavi scored twice for Hapoel, Douglas getting the other goal. The crushing defeat meant Benfica go out and Lyons are in the knockout rounds.