Barcelona held to Russian draw

Christian Noboa and David Villa each converted a penalty kick Wednesday as Barcelona was held to a 1-1 draw by Rubin Kazan in their Champions League Group D match.

Noboa put Rubin in the lead in the 30th minute after Daniel Alves fouled Vitali Kaleshin in the box.

Barcelona equalized in the 60th with Villa beating Giedrius Arlauskis into the bottom right corner after defender Lasha Salukvadze brought down Andres Iniesta. The goal was Barcelona's 400th in the European competitions.

Barcelona completely controlled the game with 74 percent of the possession, but could have lost the game. Rubin substitute Obafemi Martins headed against the post from close range with three minutes.

The result means Rubin remains unbeaten in three matches against Barcelona in the Champions League. Last season, the Russian champion shocked Barcelona with a 1-0 away victory and managed a 0-0 draw in Kazan.

Barca was frustrated in the first half by a tough Rubin defense and a lack of pace in attack, with Lionel Messi only fit enough for the bench after his ankle injury.

Pedro Rodriguez missed a clear chance to put Barcelona in the lead in the 12th minute after Villa's pass into the box put him one-on-one with Arlauskis, but the striker hit the bar.

Villa and Iniesta had a shot wide each before Alves' foul allowed Rubin to take the lead.

Messi replaced Javier Mascherano after Barcelona equalized and had his first chance in the 70th from Iniesta's pass but failed to beat Arlauskis from close range.

Four minutes later, he fired a free-kick high from just outside the box, and after Martins hit the post, Iniesta shot just high for Barcelona.

In a later Group D match, Panathinaikos hosts FC Copenhagen.

In the next round on Oct. 20, Barcelona hosts FC Copenhagen and Rubin is at Panathinaikos.