Lionel Messi grabs 100th European goal as 10-man Barca ease past Olympiacos

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal in European competition as ten-man Barcelona made it three wins from three games in Group D with a comfortable victory over Olympiacos at Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s winning streak of nine games in all competitions was halted at the weekend when they were held by Atletico Madrid, but Ernesto Valverde's side were always expected to maintain their 100 per cent record in Group D against their Greek visitors, and an own-goal by Dimitris Nikolaou gave them an early advantage.

The hosts dominated the first half but were left frustrated in their efforts to extend their lead as Luis Suarez spurned a golden opportunity while Paulinho struck the post.

And just before the break, Gerard Pique was sent off after bizarrely using his hand to convert Gerard Deulofeu’s cross, forcing referee Willie Collum to show the defender a second booking.

The ridiculous moment failed to spoil Barca’s control on the game, and they exerted their superiority by going further in front through Messi’s fine free-kick from 25 yards, minutes before Lucas Digne put the game out of sight with his first goal for the club.

It was a night to remember for 19-year-old Nikolaou as the young defender scored a late consolation for the visitors.

The result means Barcelona remain three points clear of Juventus, who left it late to beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1, and their place in the last 16 of the competition is virtually assured. Olympiacos remain bottom of the group, having lost all three games.

Pique's sending off: What should have been a thoroughly enjoyable evening for Barca has been rather overshadowed by a moment of madness by Gerard Pique. Already on a yellow card for a needless foul, the defender was adjudged to deliberately use his hand to bundle the ball over the line.

While it didn’t affect the score, the incident will only increase negative media attention on the 30-year-old after he was booed by some Spain fans during the win over Albania following the controversial independence referendum in Catalonia.

Silvio Proto (Olympiacos) - Giving the man of the match award to Olympiacos's goalkeeper demonstrates Barca's dominance considering their healthy win, and the visitors have their 34-year-old shot-stopper to thank for keeping the scores respectable.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Sergi Roberto 7, Pique 5, Umtiti 6, Digne 7, Busquets 7, Paulinho 7, Iniesta 7, Deulofeu 8, Luis Suárez 6, Messi 8. Subs: Rakitic 6,, Mascherano 6, Gomes 6.

Olympiacos: Proto 8, Koutris 6, Botía 6, Nikolaou 7, Elabdellaoui 5, Androutsos 5, Romao 5, Carcela 5, Gillet 5, Odjidja 5, Zdjelar 5. Subs: Fortounis 5, Pardo 5, Djurdjevic 5.

18’ - GOAL! Barcelona work their way behind the away defence, Roberto finding Deulofeu on the channel, he fizzes a dangerous pass across the face of goal, and Nikolao inadvertently diverts the ball into his own net.

23’ - OFF THE CROSSBAR! Olympiacos' goalkeeper rushes off his line in an attempt to clear Iniesta's cross, but he gets out-jumped by Paulinho whose header bounces off the woodwork! A let off for the visitors.

32’ - GREAT SAVE TO DENY SUAREZ! A beautiful pass from Messi releases Suarez in behind the Olympiacos defence, you are just waiting for the net to bulge, but the Uruguayan sees his low effort blocked by the feet of Proto!

41’ - PIQUE IS SENT OFF! Celebrations quickly turn to astonishment in the Camp Nou as the defender puts the ball into the back of the net from Deulofeu's cross but is then sent off seconds later! The referee disallows the goal and produces a second yellow card for Pique who is adjudged to have used his hand to bundle the ball over the line.

61’ - GOAL! Marvellous Messi makes it two! Messi steps up to take the free-kick from 25 yards, he curls the ball around the Olympiacos wall and Proto can only push the ball into the roof of the net. That is Messi's 100th European goal. An absolute genius.

64’ - GOAL! Digne scores his first goal for Barca! Messi turns provider as he dances his way to the by-line, cuts the ball back to Digne who takes a touch before lashing the ball low and hard past Proto and into the back of the net.

69' - DOUBLE SAVE! Paulinho's shot is well saved by Proto who then makes a fantastic reactive save to deny Messi.

89’ - GOAL! Olympiacos have a late consolation! Nikolaou, who earlier scored an own-goal, out-jumps Paulinho as a corner delivery is swung in, and he powers a header past ter Stegen. A great moment for the 19-year-old after his earlier error.