Barcelona signed off their successful Champions League Group E campaign in style on Wednesday with a comeback win against Stuttgart.

The visitors from Germany had had nothing to play for but surprised their hosts by taking the lead with an early free-kick from Antonio Da Silva.

Giovanni's somewhat fortunate strike hauled Barca back level before the interval but then second-half goals from Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho secured the victory for the Catalans to complete a successful group campaign.

It did not take long for an already-eliminated Stuttgart to take the lead at the Nou Camp.

A foul by Gabriel Milito gave them a free-kick opportunity and Antonio Da Silva's shot was accurate although Barca goalkeeper Albert Jorquera will feel that he should have made the save.

Eto'o launched an immediate riposte but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Raphael Schafer.

The custodian was soon called into action again, this time to keep out a free-kick from Xavi Hernandez.

Eto'o and Giovanni were both wayward with efforts but at the other end Jorquera atoned for his earlier blunder by foiling Cyprian Marica.

Giovanni fired over the bar but it was he who put Barca back on terms 10 minutes before the break as he diverted a ball from Ronaldinho past Schafer.

Ronaldinho and Rafael Marquez both missed opportunities to put Barca ahead as half-time loomed but there was no further score before the interval.

Stuttgart's brave resistance did not last long when the second half got under way.

Jorquera did well to block another Antonio Da Silva shot but after 57 minutes the Spanish side took the lead.

Xavi played the role of provider with a pass to Eto'o who scored to put his side in the lead.

Barca looked to have rekindled their best form and Ronaldinho then spurned a chance to put them further ahead.

But next time the former FIFA World Player of the Year had a sight on goal he made it pay.

Andres Iniesta and Sylvinho forged the opening for the Brazilian who finished the move off from close range.

Barca did not relent as they looked for more goals to sign off the group phase in style and both Iniesta and Ronaldinho were not far off.

Ewerthon did hit the crossbar for Stuttgart as they looked to haul themselves back into a game where pride had only ever been the motivation for a team whose German title-winning form of last season had deserted them for the continental competition.

Ronaldinho had a shot blocked in stoppage time and soon Barca were savouring top spot while Stuttgart were contemplating a miserable haul of three points from their six fixtures in a group also featuring Lyon and Rangers.

Teams:

Barcelona Jorquera, Puyol, Milito, Thuram, Sylvinho, Giovanni, Marquez, Xavi (Crosas 70), Gudjohnsen (Bojan 52), Ronaldinho, Eto'o (Iniesta 62).

Subs Not Used: Valdes, Deco, Abidal, Toure Yaya.

Booked: Marquez.

Goals: Giovanni 36, Eto'o 57, Ronaldinho 67.

VfB Stuttgart Schafer, Osorio, Tasci, Delpierre, Boka, Fernando Meira, Farnerud (Hilbert 58), Da Silva, Basturk (Meissner 72), Ewerthon, Marica (Fischer 71).

Subs Not Used: Langer, Hitzlsperger, Pardo, Magnin.

Booked: Schafer, Fernando Meira.

Goals: Da Silva 4.

Att: 60,000

Ref: Stephane Lannoy (France).