Neymar and Luis Suarez fire Barcelona to emphatic win over PSG

Barcelona took a firm grip of their Champions League quarter final tie with PSG courtesy of an impressive 3-1 victory in the first leg at the Parc des Princes.

The Catalan giants looked composed throughout and deservedly went in front on 18 minutes when Neymar finished smartly from Lionel Messi's pass.

Indeed, Laurent Blanc will be sick of the sight of the Brazilian after he netted his third goal in as many games against the French outfit this season.

Luis Suarez then took centre stage, slaloming his way beyond David Luiz and Marquinhos on the right before slotting in at the near post to make it two past the hour.

And the Uruguayan all-but sealed the tie when he completely bamboozled Luiz with a nutmeg before curving into the top corner 11 minutes from time.

A deflected Gregory van der Wiel effort gave PSG a glimmer of hope moments later but in truth their dream of reaching the last four is over already as they face a surely insurmountable task at the Nou Camp.

PRE-MATCH: PSG are without the suspended trio of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Verratti and Serge Aurier. Thiago Motta is out inured while David Luiz is only fit enough for the bench. Neymar starts for Barca despite press speculation to the contrary with Martin Montoya in at right back for the banned Dani Alves.

8' - PSG CHANCE! A great opening for PSG goes begging. Blaise Matuidi sweeps down the left and cuts it back for Maxwell who completely miscues from eight yards out.

14' - OFF THE POST! Suarez clips a lovely pass to Messi on the edge of the area. The Argentine steadies himself and curls a delicious 20-yard effort that beats Salvatore Sirigu - but not the post! Unlucky.

18' - GOAL! PSG 0-1 Barcelona. Messi leads a quick-fire Barca break and slips in Neymar who makes no mistake with a low finish into the far corner from the left of the area.

50' - PSG CHANCE! Javier Pastore fizzes in a low drive that bounces just in front of ter Stegen. The Barca keeper does well to judge the flight of the ball and push it to safety.

67' - GOAL! PSG 0-2 Barcelona. The Catalans double their lead and it's all Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan shows bewitching skill to outfox Luiz on the right before shimmying beyond Marquinhos and tucking a shot beyond Sirigu at his near post.

69' - PSG CHANCE! ter Stegen does brilliantly to push the ball clear, low at his right-hand post from Cavani's piledriver.

73' - BARCA CHANCE! It could be three as Messi dances beyond four and curves a 20-yarder wide of the top corner.

79' - GOAL! PSG 0-3 Barcelona. Suarez gets his second and Barca's third with a sweeping shot into the top corner after exchanging a one-two and nutmegging Luiz en route to goal.

82' GOAL! PSG 1-3 Barcelona. Do PSG have a lifeline? Probably not, but it's something to cheer for the home support. Gregory van der Wiel fires the ball back into the area and sees it deflect off Mathieu and into the net.

89' - CLOSE! Lavezzi breaks free into the area but can't get a shot away. It drops for Cavani who sees his goalbound attempt blocked. Big, big moment that as PSG's hopes evaporate once more.

Neymar has scored in all three Champions League appearances against Paris Saint-Germain

Lionel Messi has assisted 12 of Neymar’s Barcelona goals, and all 12 have come this season

20 of Barcelona’s 21 goals scored in this Champions League have come from open play, a competition-high this season.

Lionel Messi has completed 64 dribbles this season, the highest tally for a Champions League player since 2010/11 (Messi, 79).

PSG suffered their first defeat at home in Europe in 34 matches.

Since Lionel Messi made his CL debut, only Xavi (23), Giggs & Cristiano Ronaldo (22) have given more CL assists than Messi (who has 21).

Xavi set a new record for Champions League appearances - 169, surpassing Maldini's 168.

Luis Suarez has scored six goals in his six CL appearances for Barcelona.

Barcelona have become the second team to score over 400 Champions League goals (Real Madrid 436).

Based on historic results in first legs of two-legged European ties, Barça's chance of advancing to the semi finals is now 98.5%.

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

Is this tie over? It's hard to see Barcelona relinquishing this first-leg advantage at the Nou Camp and behind closed doors Enrique and co will be extremely confident they have one foot in the last four. PSG should have some key personnel back for the trip to Spain but it looks a nigh on impossible task at this point.

Luis Suarez (Barcelona): Deceived David Luiz with two nutmegs - the peak of a wonderful attacking performance.

PSG: Sirigu 6; Van der Wiel 6, Marquinhos 5, Silva 5, Maxwell 6; Rabiot 6, Cabaye 6, Matuidi 6; Lavezzi 6, Cavani 6, Pastore 6. Subs: Luiz 4, Lucas 5.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7; Montoya 6, Pique 6, Mascherano 7, Alba 7; Busquets 8, Rakitic 7, Iniesta 6; Messi 7, Suarez 9, Neymar 7. Subs: Xavi 6, Mathieu 5, Adriano 5.