Magical Lionel Messi notches 600th club goal with sensational free-kick in Barcelona win
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Updated 01/05/2019 at 21:55 GMT
Champions League semi-final first leg, Camp Nou – Barcelona 3 (Suarez 26’, Messi 75’, 82’) Liverpool 0
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal in the 75th minute during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 1, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
Lionel Messi took his tally to an incredible 600 goals for Barcelona as his second-half double inspired a 3-0 rout of Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi final at the Nou Camp.
The Argentine genius struck twice in seven devastating minutes late in the contest to stun the Merseysiders and leave Jurgen Klopp's side's hopes of a second straight appearance in the final of this competition hanging by a thread.
Luis Suarez had opened the scoring against his former club in the first period when he provided a clever finish to Jordi Alba's sublime left-wing cross to put Ernesto Valverde's team on course to make it 32 home matches unbeaten on Europe's elite stage.
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Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between FC Barcelona and Liverpool at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 1, 2019.
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Liverpool were hindered by the early withdrawal of Naby Keita through injury, but did threaten on the counter attack, with Sadio Mane blazing a fantastic opening over the bar.
The Merseysiders improved markedly after the break but James Milner and Mohamed Salah couldn't find a way past a determined Marc-Andre ter Stegen, before Messi took centre stage with a simple tap-in and a sensational 30-yard free kick.
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Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after he scores his sides third goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain
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The visitors should still have reduced the arrears, but Salah somehow hit the post from close range after substitute Roberto Firmino had a shot kicked off the line.
Both sides will now turn their attention to contrasting weekend fixtures prior to the second leg at Anfield on May 7. Barca travel to Celta Vigo on Saturday and will surely rest their key men having already won La Liga. Meanwhile, Liverpool visit Newcastle United knowing they cannot afford any hangover if they are to push Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race.
TALKING POINT
Barca's treble hopes enhanced, while Liverpool come up short. Barcelona won La Liga for the 26th time at the weekend and are already in the Copa Del Rey final against Valencia on May 25. All of their focus will solely be on finishing off this tie and the margin of this first-leg victory will leave them very confident of reaching a first Champions League final since 2015. The Catalan giants are one of just seven sides to have won the continental treble and they look a good bet to achieve it for a remarkable third time, having already triumphed in 2009 and 2015.
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Messi - Barcelona-Liverpool - Champions League 2018/2019 - Getty Images
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In contrast, Liverpool's magnificent season is threatening to come up short right at the death. Never write the Reds off in a European tie under the Anfield floodlights, but they know they need a big, big performance to have even a slither of hope of making it two Champions League finals in a row from here.
The Merseysiders have two Premier League games left, but are well aware that even if they take maximum points from those encounters, it may not be enough to land a first title since 1990 providing Man City win their remaining matches. It's been a fantastic campaign for Klopp and his players, but unless a few major twists and turns happen soon, they will be facing up to the reality of another trophy-less year.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lionel Messi (Barcelona). Irresistible as he left packs of Liverpool players in his wake time and time again in the first period. The Argentine superstar loves playing on the biggest of stages and looks dead set on delivering on his promise to the supporters to bring the famous old trophy back to the Nou Camp. His second-half surge was a match-clinching cameo that saw him claim the headlines and another sensational milestone.
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Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after he scores his sides third goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen 8, Sergi Roberto 7, Pique 7, Lenglet 7, Jordi Alba 8, Busquets 7, Rakitic 8, Arturo Vidal 7, Coutinho 6, Suarez 8, Messi 9. Subs: Semedo 7, Alena n/a, Dembele n/a.
LIVERPOOL: Alisson 6, Gomez 6, Matip 6, Van Dijk 6, Robertson 7, Fabinho 6, Wijnaldum 6, Keita 6, Milner 6, Salah 7, Mane 6. Subs: Henderson 6, Firmino 6, Origi n/a.
LIVERPOOL: Alisson 6, Gomez 6, Matip 6, Van Dijk 6, Robertson 7, Fabinho 6, Wijnaldum 6, Keita 6, Milner 6, Salah 7, Mane 6. Subs: Henderson 6, Firmino 6, Origi n/a.
KEY MOMENTS
26' - GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Liverpool. Suarez strikes against his old club. The Uruguayan makes a super run to the near post and slides Alba's sumptuous cross beyond Alisson.
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Luis Suárez - FC Barcelona vs. FC Liverpool
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36' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Henderson whips a brilliant ball in from the right for Mane to arrive on cue, but the in-form forward snatches at it on the stretch and somehow balloons it over the top. Huge chance for Liverpool.
53' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Liverpool threaten down the left. It eventually falls for Salah on the other flank and he cuts in and fizzes a low drive towards the bottom corner that ter Stegen just manages to tip to safety.
59' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Salah takes a raking ball down with a delicious touch. He jinks to the byline and rolls a ball into the middle towards Wijnaldum. He dummies it and Milner arrives on cue but fires a thumping shot straight at ter Stegen.
75' - GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Liverpool. Messi doubles Barca's lead as he follows up to tuck home after Suarez's shot came back off the crossbar.
82' - GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool. It's three! Messi steps up and curves a stunning 30-yard free kick into the top corner. Liverpool are in deep trouble now.
84' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Liverpool almost reduce the arrears. Firmino sees a shot cleared off the line before Salah somehow hits the post with the goal gaping.
KEY STATS
Barcelona are the second team in the Champions League history to score 500+ goals in the competition, after Real Madrid (551).
Only Raúl (33) has scored against more different Champions League opponents than Lionel Messi (32), with this his first goal in three appearances against Liverpool.
Liverpool have now lost more matches in the Champions League this season (4 in 11 matches) than in all other competitions combined (3 in 38 matches).
Liverpool suffered their joint-heaviest Champions League defeat, also losing 0-3 to Real Madrid in October 2014.
Messi scored his 600th goal for Barca in all competitions, exactly 14 years ago since his first goal against Albacete on 1st May 2005.
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