Barcelona overcame a scare to boost their hopes of automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 with a hard-fought 4-2 win at Slavia Prague.

The Spanish champions conceded an early goal and were pegged back to 2-2 before the break on a freezing night in the Czech capital but recovered with second-half goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.

Fermín López scored both their goals in the first half after Vasil Kusej bundled Slavia into a surprise lead but the hosts levelled when Lewandowski turned the ball into his own net.

That was reward for a positive performance from Slavia but Barca, without the suspended Lamine Yamal, ultimately proved too strong with Marcus Rashford making a big impact from the bench.

Slavia served an early warning when Tomás Chorý controlled a bouncing ball and smashed a half-volley narrowly over.

Their opener after 10 minutes was rather more scrappy as Tomás Holes flicked on a corner towards the back post and Kusej forced it over the goalline despite falling over.

Barça took time to settle but Eric García signalled a more positive approach just before the half-hour mark as he forced Jindrich Stanek to tip over from distance.

The equaliser came in the 34th minute after a nice move as Raphinha found Frenkie de Jong on the edge of the box with a neat backheel. The Dutchman slipped in López and he drilled in from a tight angle, beating Stanek at his near post.

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López gave his side the lead for the first time on 42 minutes with another fine finish, this time from the edge of box. Pedri was given too much space to turn and López whipped a shot into the top corner.

The lead did not last until half-time as Slavia caught the visitors napping at another corner.

Holes was again allowed to get in a glancing header at the near post and the ball rebounded in off Lewandowski.

Barça stepped up the tempo after the break and Stanek kept out shots from Pedri and López. The keeper was unable to hold onto the latter and the ball was scrambled in by De Jong but the flag was raised.

Raphinha also flashed a shot over and Rashford, brought on just after the hour, teed up Lewandowski for an effort. Stanek saved but Slavia failed to clear and Olmo fired home from 18 yards with an exquisite shot.

Olmo had only come into the game minutes before after Pedri came up with a muscular injury and was forced off.

Rashford made quite an impact and was again involved as Lewandowski finally registered his first Champions League goal of the season -- at the right end of the pitch, at least.

The Manchester United loanee reached the byline before pulling back across goal for the Pole. Lewandowski initially miscued but reacted quickly to volley past Stanek and complete the comeback.