Barcelona and Rubin play to 1-1 draw in Champions League as Messi returns

Rubin holds Barcelona to 1-1 draw in Champs League

KAZAN, Russia — Rubin Kazan’s Christian Noboa and Barcelona’s David Villa converted penalty kicks, and Lionel Messi made a quick return from an ankle injury in a 1-1 Champions League draw on Wednesday night.

Noboa put Rubin in the lead in the 30th minute after Daniel Alves fouled Vitali Kaleshin. Villa scored in the 60th after Lasha Salukvadze fouled Andres Iniesta.

Messi, the reigning FIFA player of the year, entered in the 60th for Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano, 10 days after right ankle ligaments were damaged during a challenge from Atletico de Madrid’s Tomas Ujfalusi, who was given a red card and a two-match suspension.