STUTTGART, Germany (AFP) - Barcelona goal-scorer Lionel Messi admitted Tuesday night's 2-0 win at VfB Stuttgart was an important step towards Champions League qualification for the Spanish giants.

Barcelona took a step closer to the first knock-out round as Argentinian Messi score their second goal to seal their second consecutive win in Group E at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion.

Despite the home side having four clear first-half chances to take the lead, Stuttgart's defence finally cracked as substitute Carles Puyol beat Stuttgart 'keeper Raphael Schaefer on 53 minutes before Messi struck on 67 minutes.

The win leaves the Spaniards unbeaten after last month's 3-0 win at home to Lyon as they join Rangers on six points, while Stuttgart stay pointless.

"That was our most difficult game so far," said the 20-year-old Messi.

"There were a lot of chances for both teams in the first-half, but it was a tough game for us as we had to work hard, but luckily we were successful in the end."

While Messi was putting in the work for Barcelona's attack, at the other end Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdez pulled off four top-class saves to deny Germany's player of the year Mario Gomez.

The German striker was denied two rapid-fire headers from point-blank range on 32 minutes and Stuttgart could have been at least 2-0 up at half-time, rather than the reality of 0-0, if it were not for Valdez.

"Zero points and a 2-0 defeat," said Gomez, whose side now face fellow Group E strugglers Lyon at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion on October 23.

"Everyone saw we played well in the first half, but we had no goals to show for it.

"As has happened to us so many times before this season, we conceded a goal early in the second half and we just couldn't get any momentum after that."

Stuttgart now have a mountain to climb if they are to reach the first knock-out round of the Champions League with a six point gap between them and joint group leaders Barcelona and Glasgow Rangers.

"Things will get harder for us now," said Stuttgart coach Armin Veh.

"This Barcelona side are very good and we have a few problems.

"They are technically very good and terribly strong, always looking to counter-attack with confidence across the team.

"We coped well in the first-half and should have taken our chances, but Barcelona deserved the win and I am not unhappy to have lost to 2-0 to a side with so much talent."

But Barcelona's Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard was far from happy with his side's performance with his side facing a trip to Ibrox on October 23 to take on Group E rivals Rangers.

"We started well and had some chances," said the former Dutch midfielder.

"But I was not at all happy with our first-half performance as we finished the half with no goals.

"Stuttgart reacted well to us and Valdez had to work hard in goal to keep them out.

"But we will have to be more disciplined and work harder to get a result in Scotland."