Rubin took the lead on the 2nd minute of the game, when the fans at Camp Nou were still taking their seats. Midfielder Aleksandr Ryazantsev fired a stunning shot from 35 meters catching keeper Víctor Valdes unawares, 1-0.

But Barca, considered the strongest team in the world by many, didn’t seem shocked by the occasion, knowing they have plenty of time to put thing right.

It was a usual picture for the home fans as Josep Guardiola’s men put the ball under control and started the assault of visitors’ goals. But Rubin stood firm and didn’t allow Lionel Messi and Co create anything serious in front of Sergey Ryzhikov’s goal.

Barca could equalize only after the break. Zlatan Ibrahimović opened his UEFA Champions League account for the Catalonian team, with a shot into the low corner after a pass from Xavi on 48th minute, 1-1.

The host went looking for a winner, while Rubin continued to fulfill their coach’s game plan, waiting for a chance to launch a counterattack. And they got one on 73rd minute, when Alejandro Domínguez's set up Gökdeniz Karadeniz on a rendezvous with Viktor Valdes, and the little Turk slotted in Kazan’s winner, 2-1.

Rubin Kazan´s players celebrate after scoring a secong goal (AFP Photo / Lluis Gene)

The Catalonians did everything to draw the game, but Yaya Toure’s header on the fourth minute of stoppage time was denied by the post. Rubin grab their first ever champions league win, despite Barcelona dominating possession for 69 per cent of the time and making 13 shots on target.

Barca last lost to the Russian opposition back in 1992/93 UEFA Champions League, when they were kicked out of the tournament by CSKA Moscow.

In another Group F game, Inter Milan came form behind twice to secure a 2-2 home draw with Dynamo Kiev.

Barcelona, Dynamo Kiev and Rubin Kazan share the first spot in the group having 4 points after three games, while unbeaten and winless Inter Milan are behind with 3 points.

Barca travel to Kazan, and Dynamo entertain Inter in Kiev on Matchday 4, scheduled for November 4.

Rubin didn’t expect to win

Rubin boss Kurban Berdyev said he’s surprised with the outcome of his team’s clash with Barcelona.

“It wouldn’t be fair to say we were planning to win. I can repeat the words I said before the game: we were out there to do everything we could and see what happened in the end. Our bid was on total dedication to the game and full concentration in defensive play as well as on a counter-attack. Thank God, it all worked out for us,” he said.

Berdyev said that the start of the second half when Barca got an equalizer was the hardest point in the game for his men: “we trembled, began to make mistakes, but then recovered”.

“The whole team played great. I am glad that my men made such a feast for our fans. They deserve it,” he added.

Even Andrey Arshavin, whose Arsenal drew their Champions League match with AZ in Holland on the night, couldn’t ignore his countrymen’s achievement.

"I just found out about Rubin’s victory. Well done! Their win is the main event of the Matchday. Barcelona haven’t lost to anyone so far this season. Given that Dinamo Kiev played a 2-2 draw against Inter, the situation in the group is very complicated. The three teams each have four points," he said.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s captain told Xavi Hernandez told AS newspaper that Rubin’s win was “undeserved”.

"We played well at times; we opened up the pitch and had spells. But it is difficult to measure a team that only defends, especially, if you do not find the final pass. They leave with an undeserved prize," he said.

Xavi promised that Barca will have their revenge in Kazan it two weeks’ time.

"It will be difficult to win there [in Kazan, Russia] but we are still leading and we depend only on ourselves. In any case, we know that we must get away what we lost at home," he said.