Barcelona secured their third Champions League group stage win in as many games after a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night at Estadi Lluis Companys.

Despite being comfortable for most of the game, the Catalans had to survive a late scare to come away with another three points in Europe.

Barcelona looked threatening early on, with Fermin Lopez missing a clear chance after just eight minutes. Oriol Romeu stole the ball outside the Shakhtar penalty area, with his tackle falling to Fermin who smartly dribbled past his man but then saw his shot saved by Riznyk.

Then, after a nice one-two with Fermin, Joao Cancelo forced the goalkeeper into another save. With no option in the box, the full-back cut inside his man and struck on target with his left foot but the goalkeeper was able to gather with his legs.

But moments later, the breakthrough finally came, on 28 minutes. Ilkay Gundogan's excellent chipped pass found Fermin whose effort hit the bar, only for the rebound to fall for Ferran Torres who volleyed home.

The flag was initially raised, but VAR correctly stepped in to award the goal as Fermin was onside in the build-up.

It was then 2-0 soon after, following a stunner from Fermin. Ferran passed the ball to the youngster who took one touch to make a better angle for himself and then thrashed the ball into the net via the post from outside the box.

But while the first half was smooth sailing for Barcelona, the second half proved anything but.

On the hour mark, Shakhtar managed to get back into the game. Barcelona were caught napping at the back as Azarovi played a ball round the corner to Sudakov who lashed the ball home with his right foot.

The hosts' two-goal cushion was almost restored on 69 minutes after Yamal cut the ball back to Fermin on the edge of the box, but his shot was denied by the post.

Then, seconds later, Fermin aimed a perfect header into the top corner from Marcos Alonso's cross, only to be denied by a marginal offside call.

Joao Felix sets alarm bells ringing ahead of El Clasico

Then, on 75 minutes, the alarm bells were ringing for Barcelona as Joao Felix went down injured. Just a few days before El Clasico, the Portuguese's forced departure from the field raises concern for an already injury-ravaged team.

It was so nearly 2-2 on 83 minutes too. An Azarovi cross from the left was met by captain Stepanenko whose left-footed volley did not miss by much.

Eventually, Barcelona managed to get themselves over the line to hold onto a win that puts them firmly in the drivers' seat of their group, with nine points from a possible nine.