Image source, AP

Barcelona warmed up for Saturday's El Clasico against Real Madrid with a comfortable Champions League win against Dutch title holders Ajax.

In-form Neymar scored his seventh goal in his last five Barca appearances to put the Spanish leaders ahead, before Lionel Messi converted Andres Iniesta's accurate pass to double the tally.

With this weekend's trip to the Bernabeu in mind, Luis Enrique withdrew Neymar, Messi and Iniesta in the second half as Barca began to relax.

That allowed Ajax to nick a late consolation through teenage forward Anwar El Ghazi, before Barca's own young substitute Sandro Ramirez, who replaced Neymar, killed off any hope of a dramatic Dutch comeback.

Messi's strike put him within two of Spanish striker Raul, who is the Champions League's all-time leading scorer with 71 goals.

But the Argentina captain missed several other chances to move even closer to the Real Madrid legend as Barcelona dominated a poor Ajax side.

The Dutch champions offered little threat against the Catalans who are top of the Spanish league after eight matches under new boss Enrique.

Messi and Neymar posed danger throughout as Ajax, who had taken two points from their opening two Group F matches, were pinned back in their own half.

It was an unhappy return for Ajax coach Frank de Boer, who played alongside Enrique at the Nou Camp between 1999 and 2003.

His side are now four points adrift of second-placed Barcelona, who bounced back from their 3-2 defeat at Paris St-Germain.

The French champions lead the group at the halfway stage after netting a late 1-0 win at Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia.

And that's virtually the final kick of the match as Barcelona warm up for Saturday's El Clasico in style.

Image source, Reuters

Game, set and match. Teenage substitute Sandro Ramirez relieves the pressure with a cool, calm and collected finish.

Not deterred by his previous doomed attempt (see 85 mins), Dani Alves hovers over another free-kick in a dangerous position. Over the bar. Again.

Anwar El Ghazi has the bit between his teeth now. He barges Marc Bartra out of the way and almost sees tomorrow's headlines as he catches a glimpse of the home goal. But Bartra recovers enough to make him slice wide.

A rather generous four minutes of stoppage time for Barca to hang on/Ajax to grab an equaliser.*

* Delete as appropriate in four minutes' time.

Image source, AP

No change from the free-kick, but seconds later the Dutch champions do manage to halve the deficit. Teenage forward Anwar El Ghazi bundles in from close range after some comedy Barca defending. Ajax can't - can they? Two minutes and stoppage time to find a leveller...

Any chance of an Ajax consolation? They have a free-kick close to the left byline....

Image source, AP

Without the aforementioned Barca triumvirate, their remaining team-mates are left scrapping it out for the right to take control of a 25-yard free-kick. In the end it is Dani Alves who pulls rank, only to balloon his effort over the Ajax bar.

If seeing Neymar, Messi and Iniesta was supposed to boost Ajax morale, then it isn't showing. Munir is giving the Dutch defence another headache, first seeing a shot blocked then teeing up Rafinha who fires over.

Moments after flashing a low cross-shot down Ajax's corridor of uncertainty, Pedro is back in action at the other end of the field. And he shows why he is better suited in attacking situations, clumsily hacking down Lucas Andersen to pick up Barca's first yellow card.

Image source, EPA

Another Barca substitution, another star man is withdrawn. Skipper Andres Iniesta trudges over to the dugout, with young midfielder Rafinha eagerly racing on to take his place.

Pique stands with his arms outstretched on the touchline, pleading with William Collum to be allowed back on. But the Scottish referee won't let him return until giving him the once over himself. In the meantime, Ajax almost have a sniff of the Barca goal. But Davy Klaassen miscues when well placed, skying high into the warm Catalan night.

Gerard Pique is left eating grass after getting a whack around the head in an aerial challenge. He gets to his feet quickly - after all he will not want to lose his place ahead of El Clasico - but is taken to the touchline for some treatment. A good splash of the magic sponge does the trick before gingerly clambers to his feet.

Ajax are looking far more comfortable since the departure of Barca's Batman and Robin (Messi and Neymar). The Spanish leaders have not created much in the last few minutes - until, right on cue, Ivan Rakitic lets fly from distance. That stings the palms of Ajax keeper Jasper Cillissen, but no further damage is done.

Of course Messi jumping into the Barca bath early doors means he won't overhaul Raul as Champions League all-time scorer tonight. That record will surely tumble - along with all the rest - later this season.

"Come in number 10 - your time is done." For tonight at least, Lionel Messi's work is over. The Argentina captain is withdrawn, again with Saturday's trip to the Bernabeu at the forefront of Luis Enrique's thoughts. Teenage forward Munir, a Moroccan-born Spain international who has burst on to the scene this season, replaces him.

Neymar has scored seven goals in his last five games for Barcelona - his best run scoring for the Spanish leaders.

Time for Neymar to put his feet up. With Saturday's El Clasico in mind, Barca boss Luis Enrique decides to give the Brazil skipper a breather. On comes Sandro Ramirez - a like for like swap - who is yet another talented teenager to emerge from La Masia...

Image source, EPA

Barcelona are pounding on the Ajax door harder than an angry bailiff wanting money. Messi misses another chance to close in on all-time Champions League scorer Raul, firing over the Ajax bar. Remember, the Real Madrid legend is two goals ahead of the Barca hero.

Opta Johan:, external Only Cristiano Ronaldo (7) has scored more Champions League goals against Ajax than Lionel Messi (4, with Roy Makaay and Jose Callejon).