Messi's brilliance and Neymar's late goal secure a 3-0 victory for Barcelona over Bayern Munich in their semi-final clash at the Nou Camp.
Two late moments of magic from Lionel Messi and a goal from Neymar helped Barcelona break Bayern Munich's resilience in defence, in a pulsating 3-0 victory in their Champions League semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's brilliance for most of the match left the Catalans frustrated, but Messi fired home after 77 minutes with a 20 metre drive from just outside the box. Dani Alves' neat footwork on the flank saw him pass the ball into Messi's path, who had no problem in driving the ball into Neuer's net from range and equal Ronaldo's record of 76 Champions League goals.
Ivan Raktic's composed passing in the middle of the park saw him neatly pass the ball into Messi's path inside the box, who outfoxed Bayern defender Jerome Boateng and delightfully chipped the ball from six metres into the goal in the 80th minute. The goal ensured that Messi was back at the top of the all time Champions League top scorers list, with a record 77th goal in the competition.
Bayern looked to get one back against Barca late on, but were caught in numbers as Luis Suarez began a counter attack for the Catalans. Suarez was tripped at the halfway line, but the wayward ball found Messi who guided the ball into Neymar's path. Neymar completed a resounding late burst from the hosts when he raced clear and slotted the ball through Neuer's legs and into the back of the net in the 93rd minute of the match.
It was a disappointing evening for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola on his return to his former club.
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola had warned before the game that it would be impossible to stop his former prodigy Messi and it proved to be the case as the Argentine orchestrated Barcelona's emphatic victory after scoring two goals and providing an assist, that gave them a clear advantage heading into next week's second leg.
"When Messi is inspired he is unstoppable and tonight he showed his talent again," Barcelona centre back Gerard Pique told Spanish television.
A masked Robert Lewandowski started in attack for Bayern despite fracturing his nose and jaw in his side's recent defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup. But the Pole couldn't find his goalscoring for the newly crowned German Champions. Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were among those sidelined in an injury crisis for Bayern.
Barcelona's first clear sight of goal came after 11 minutes when Luis Suarez scampered clear of the Bayern defence but the Uruguayan was denied by a superb block from the feet of Neuer.
Minutes later a close range effort from Neymar was deflected wide by Bayern's Rafinha.
The German champions finally had a chance when a brilliant counter attacking move by Bayern saw Thomas Mueller cross the ball into Lewandowski's feet, but the Pole slid the cross wide in the 17th minute.
Messi and Suarez were both showing delightful touches as they teased the Bayern defence while Neymar who forms the third member of their attacking trident, found it difficult to get into the game, despite scoring a goal late in the match.
Barca continued to pass up opportunities in the second half before Messi finally got the breakthrough with a 20-metre drive that beat Neuer at his near post.
"We played ok for long periods of time but we were caught on the break three times," Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said. "It's bitter, we had our chances but we lost possession, they break and that should not happen."
Barca travel to the Allianz Arena on May 13, and will be wary of a Bayern side that will look to overturn their 3-0 deficit, in the second leg of the their Champions League semi-final.
Here's a look at the highlights of the match.
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