Barcelona scraped a 1-1 draw at Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, Juninho's early free-kick equalised by Thierry Henry's far-post header in the second half.

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Juninho gave Lyon the lead when he curled a firm free-kick into the far top corner from the left side of the penalty area, with Victor Valdes bizarrely stumbling as the ball came flying over.

Barcelona were rattled and could easily have conceded again moments later as first Karim Benzema then Kader Keita went close.

France striker Benzema directed his finish from a slick through-ball just wide of the far post then Keita, with time to shoot from 12 yards, scuffed wide as a relieved Valdes looked on.

Barcelona were slow to get into the game but midfield engine Xavi and star forward Lionel Messi eventually began to take control. Although Barcelona dominated possession, Lyon had only fleeting moments of danger to worry them.

Lyon pressed Barcelona throughout a pulsating first half, with the Ligue 1 leaders happy to soak up pressure and hit their opponents on the break.

Home talisman Benzema had perhaps the best chance of the night when his right-footed shot struck the Barcelona upright.

There were several incisive Lyon counter-attacks which promised more than they ultimately delivered; but with such quality in the Barcelona ranks it was only a matter of time before they created opportunities themselves.

Samuel Eto'o saw a toe-poked shot clip the outside of the post after a Xavi through-ball before the Cameroon star was bundled over in the box. However, German referee Wolfgang Stark waved play on.

The second half saw a strong midfield battle with neither side able to impose themselves. Lyon had adopted a clear defensive mindset and invited Barcelona on to them.

A series of free-kicks followed before Henry, who had been largely anonymous, nodded home the equaliser on 67 minutes after a Xavi corner had been flicked on by defender Rafael Marquez.

Lyon changed their game-plan and went looking for a winning goal, but with time running out failed to fashion any real chances of note: set-piece specialist Juninho's 30-yard effort from a free-kick troubled Valdes but was a rare shot on goal.

The result leaves Lyon needing to win the second leg in the Camp Nou in two weeks' time.