Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool: Messi scores brace & 600th club goal to control the tie

A Lionel Messi brace - including a brilliant free-kick - took him to 600 goals for Barcelona in a 3-0 Champions League win over Liverpool.

Match Report

Lionel Messi's late brace took him to 600 Barcelona goals and ensured the LaLiga club took charge of their Champions League semi-final tie against Liverpool with a 3-0 first-leg win.

Former Reds striker Luis Suarez, playing against his old club in a competitive game for the first time since he left for Catalonia in 2014, scored his first Champions League goal in over a year to give Barca a half-time advantage.

James Milner was twice denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the second half - while Mohamed Salah was thwarted too - before Messi struck twice in seven minutes to bring up his milestone.

The first goal, a tap-in after Suarez had hit the crossbar, was followed by a brilliant 30-yard free-kick before Salah fired against the post with six minutes remaining as he missed a glorious chance to get a crucial away goal.

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Match Events

14' Matip's handball overlooked by ref

PENALTY SHOUT! Messi wants a penalty for an apparent Matip handball, although the Reds defender was in very close proximity and had no time to react.

15' SHOT! Coutinho's shot saved

SAVE! Coutinho goes for the strike, only to see his effort well saved by Alisson.

21' INJURY! Keita replaced by Henderson

Keita is down on the deck for Liverpool and has to leave the field here. He is clutching his leg. 

Henderson replaces Keita for the visitors in the middle of the park.

26' GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Liverpool (Suarez)

The Uruguayan notches his first Champions League goal of the season, poking his strike past Alisson from close range. Alba fired a perfect low ball into the danger zone and Suarez's movement was excellent.

He ran through a gap between Van Dijk and Matip before diverting the cross into the bottom corner. Barcelona strike first in the semi-final.

34' GREAT CHANCE! Mane's shot over the bar

CHANCE! Henderson sends a perfect low ball behind the Barcelona backline for Mane ahead of Pique and Lenglet. The forward takes on the effort first time, but he guides his left-footed strike on the stretch over the bar.

44' Milner deliberately knocks over Messi

Messi takes a whack from Milner on the sidelines, but does not cover himself in glory with additional theatrics. The referee does not book the Liverpool midfielder.

47' Great save from Ter Stegen to stop Milner!

Salah and Wijnaldum combine in the box to open up the Barca defence. The Dutchman lays the ball off to Milner to strike on his left foot. He places his effort towards the far corner, but Ter Stegen gets across to make a one-handed stop.

53' SAVE! Ter Stegen denies Salah's shot

Salah gathers the loose ball and goes for a low strike towards the bottom corner that is well saved by Ter Stegen.

59' Another save from Ter Stegen!

Salah firs low cross into the box. Wijnaldum dummies the ball to leave it for Milner to strike, but the midfielder blasts his effort straight at Ter Stegen.

75' GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Liverpool (Messi)

Messi makes Liverpool pay for their lack of clinical edge, he taps home from close range after Suarez hits the bar. 

The Argentine was afforded space and time on the edge of the box to run at the Reds. Fabinho made the tackle, although it went straight into the box. Robertson diverted it away from Sergi Roberto, but Suarez was there. 

He struck his effort towards goal, only to be denied by the bar. Messi was on hand to convert the rebound as the ball fell perfectly for him in the six-yard box. Barca have command of the tie now.

82' GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool (Messi)

WHAT A GOAL!!!!! BARCELONA HAVE THREE!!! MESSI SCORES HIS 600TH GOAL FOR BARCELONA! 

The Argentine is spectacular as he curls his free-kick into the top corner. It's unstoppable as Alisson makes a despairing dive to his right, but cannot reach the ball with his outstretched hand. An incredible finish from Messi to hand his team control of the tie.

84' SO CLOSE! Salah's shot hits the post

OFF THE LINE AND OFF THE POST! Liverpool come so close to a vital away goal. Mane breaks through the Barcelona defence before being tackled. The loose ball falls to Firmino, who curls his effort towards goal. However, two Barcelona defenders are on the line to divert it away. Salah pounces on the rebound, but he smashes his effort from close range off the post.