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Barcelona travelled to Eindhoven to play PSV in the Champions League group stage, as they looked to clinch the top spot in their group with a game to spare.
They won the game 2-1 to achieve just that, but it was far from a straightforward night. PSV had the better chances in the first half before Lionel Messi conjured up a brilliant goal to put his side ahead after the interval.
Gerard Pique doubled Barcelona's lead when he slotted home from Messi's free-kick. Luuk de Jong pulled one back for the home side with a headed effort, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
The result meant that Barcelona were confirmed as group winners, and PSV will finish in the last place.
Here are the main talking points from the clash.
#1 Missed chances galore for both teams, especially PSV
Despite the score being 2-1, the chances in the match suggest otherwise, Both sides had many opportunities to alter the scoreline, but they went begging, especially in the first half.
Hirving Lozano skewed his effort from a low cross wide, before Gaston Pereiro shot over the bar from close range. Then Philippe Coutinho's shot was deflected, and Arturo Vidal had two efforts cleared off the line by PSV.
The most glaring chance came when Luuk De Jong's header came off the bar and Denzel Dumfries inexplicably hit the woodwork from a couple of yards. Lozano had another chance late on as well, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen smothered him well.
Ter Stegen was definitely the busier of the two goalkeepers, and the likes of De Jong may feel hard done by in the end. Had PSV taken one of their chances in the first half, the game could have ended differently. Oh well.
#2 Defensive woes are not showing any signs of diminishing for Barcelona
Barcelona's frail defence has been well documented this season. They have conceded 19 goals in the league, and only four sides in the whole division have conceded less. The likes of Gerard Pique and Sergio Roberto have been susceptible, and the weakness at the back was visible again.
PSV were the better side by far in the first half, and they had numerous chances to punish their opponents. They hit the woodwork three times, and twice in a sequence when both Luuk de Jong and Denzel Dumfries failed to convert from close range.
Barcelona faced 9 shots on target, which is the most they have faced in more than 18 months. Lionel Messi's brilliance meant that they got the three points, but De Jong's late goal did jangle a few nerves. If Barca want to make real inroads in the competition, rectifying that leaky defence is a must.
#3 Barca's lack of striking options is worrying
Ernesto Valverde deployed Lionel Messi in a 'false nine' position against PSV, as Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele played in the wide attacking roles. The change in the system didn't work though, as Barca failed to show a lot of attacking fluency.
Luis Suarez is out for a couple of weeks with a knee injury, and the only other orthodox striker in the squad is Munir El Haddadi. The youngster is certainly not going to be thrust into high-pressure games in Suarez's absence and he did not even make the squad in Eindhoven.
Suarez's absence makes a huge difference to Barca's attack, and the lack of any obvious replacements is worrying. Recruiting in January is an option, as the depth will be needed as the season progresses. Perhaps keeping Paco Alcacer would not have been a bad idea after all.
#4 Don't judge PSV on their Champions League performances
If you see at how PSV have fared in Europe this season, the signs are not good. They have lost all but one of their games, as Spurs afforded them their solitary point. Mark van Bommel's side has also conceded 12 goals in the process.
But in the Eredivisie, a totally different scenario can be seen. PSV have won all their 13 matches in the league, and they are 5 points clear at the top of the table. They have scored a staggering 46 goals and conceded just 5. That's really good, right?
Van Bommel has done a stunning job in his first season at the club, and despite their failure in the Champions League, the PSV fans have reason to be hopeful. A second straight league title does look to be on the cards for them.
#5 Barcelona ace a tricky group with relative ease
When the group stage draws were made back in August, Ernesto Valverde would have definitely marked Barca's group as a tricky one. Inter, Tottenham, and PSV made the trio, and there were no guarantees of acing the group.
But ace the group they did, and the Catalans have topped the group with a game to spare. Barca are unbeaten in the competition, and they have dropped points in just one game. Their league form has been highly erratic, but that has not been reflected in the Champions League.
After last season's debacle in Rome, the onus is on Valverde to deliver in Europe. Even Lionel Messi has come out and said that the aim this season is to bring the Champions League trophy back to Camp Nou. As things stand, things couldn't be going better for them.
