Your Top Plays for Today

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left celebrates with Cesc Fabregas after he scored against AC Milan during a group H Champions League soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday Nov. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left celebrates with Cesc Fabregas after he scored against AC Milan during a group H Champions League soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday Nov. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left is tackled by AC Milan's Philippe Mexes during a group H Champions League soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday Nov. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz TMA-11M space ship carrying new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, blasts off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. The rocket carrying the Olympic flame successfully blasted off Thursday from earth ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson, right, celebrates with forward Paul George after hitting a 3-point shot against the Chicago Bulls in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013. The Pacers defeated the Bulls 97-80. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose wipes his face in the final minutes of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013. The Pacers defeated the Bulls 97-80. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Your Top Plays for Today: AP's Sports Guide

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--MESSI RETURNS TO FORM WITH 2 GOALS FOR BARCA IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Lionel Messi returned to form with two goals as Barcelona secured its spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League. Fellow Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain also had a brace for Napoli. And Samuel Eto'o scored for his fourth different team.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/messi-scores-2-barca-beats-milan-3-1-advance

--BLAST OFF: COUNTOWN TO SOCHI CONTINUTES WITH OLYMPIC TORCH FIRED INTO ORBIT

A rocket carrying the Olympic flame successfully blasted off Thursday from earth ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/olympic-torch-blasts-space-ahead-games

--PERFECT PACERS BEAT BULLS TO REMAIN UNBEATEN IN NBA

Unbeaten Indiana beat division rival Chicago 97-80 for its fifth straight win to open the NBA season, the Pacers' best start since 1971-72.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/perfect-pacers-pull-away-late-bulls-97-80

--RANGERS END PENGUINS WINNING RUN

Brian Boyle scored his first goal of the season and captain Ryan Callahan added his first since returning from a broken thumb as the New York Rangers end the Penguins's four-game streak with a 5-1 victory.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/rangers-shake-slow-start-top-penguins-5-1

--FOWLER TAKES 2-STROKE LEAD OVER SCOTT AT AUSTRALIAN PGA

Ricky Fowler carded six birdies over his last eight holes en route to an 8-under-par 63 and has a two-stroke lead over Masters champion Adam Scott after the first round of the Australian PGA.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2013/11/07/rickie-fowler-australian-pga/3463423/

Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-11-07-Sports-Top%20Plays/id-af0fa7c9a90b4850b1fd0027ee611266
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