Advertisement
Messi was on target twice in the second half. Nick Potts

Messi scores double as Barca break Liverpool hearts in Champions League semi-final

Luis Suarez broke the deadlock before two goals after the break from the Argentine star put the Reds to bed.

LIONEL MESSI LEFT Liverpool needing a miracle to reach their second Champions League final in as many years as his brace helped Barcelona win a pulsating Champions League semi-final first leg 3-0 on Wednesday.

Barca have one foot in next month’s final ahead of Tuesday’s second leg at Anfield after former Reds striker Luis Suarez gave Barca the lead during a breathless opening 45 minutes before Messi struck twice late on, the second a stunning free-kick and his 600th Barca goal.

Jurgen Klopp could only smile after Messi’s curling shot nestled in the top corner but this result was harsh on his side.

They matched Barcelona in the first half, dominated them early in the second and could still have left with an away goal after Messi’s deadly double, only for Mohamed Salah to hit the post.

Barcelona v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Camp Nou The Argentine star scored his 600th Barcelona goal at Camp Nou. Adam Davy Adam Davy

But Messi and Suarez did what they have done all season, their tallies now at 47 and 27 goals respectively in all competitions.

It had been a breathtaking contest befitting two of Europe’s most exhilarating teams. The first half was electric, a reel of chances, breaks and blocks, while the second was tense, a tactical battle where Barca dared Liverpool to over-exert.

The comeback will be even tougher for them given Barcelona, with La Liga wrapped up, will surely rest a host of players against Celta Vigo this weekend while Liverpool, a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, will have to be at full throttle again away at Newcastle on Saturday.

Messi was already fresh, after playing just over half the La Liga minutes he could have done in April, and he looked sharp early on, weaving through the centre while for Liverpool, the sensational Sadio Mane raced down the left.

Spain Soccer Champions League Joel Matip and Luis Suarez battle for the ball during Wednesday's semi-final. Manu Fernandez Manu Fernandez

The attacks were scintillating but the defending was good too. Andy Robertson scrambled across to block Messi’s finish from six yards and moments later it was Sergi Roberto on the slide, preventing Mane from racing clear.

Messi wanted a penalty when the ball jumped up on Joel Matip and Naby Keita went off injured in the 25th minute, replaced by Jordan Henderson.

A minute later came the goal. Arturo Vidal sprayed the ball left to Philippe Coutinho, who cushioned back for Jordi Alba. Alba shaped to cross but instead curved a perfectly weighted pass to the near post, where Suarez nipped in.

Liverpool came again. Mane scampered in behind then flicked the ball round Sergio Busquets. He should have scored too, Henderson’s cross finding him free from eight yards but the shot flew over.

Barca took control just as Suarez began to lose it, irked by James Milner barging Messi into the sideboards after the Argentinian had danced past Robertson.

Barcelona v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Camp Nou Former Liverpool forward Suarez broke the deadlock. Nick Potts Nick Potts

But Liverpool were re-energised at the start of the second half. Marc-Andre ter Stegen pushed away shots from Milner and Mohamed Salah, then held a Milner drive.

Then Messi took the wind out of Liverpool’s sails, striking twice in seven minutes. His own run started the first, setting Sergi free to square to Suarez. Off balance, Suarez could only volley against the crossbar but the ball came back for Messi, who chested and finished into an open net.

Two was hard on Liverpool but Messi was not done. The free-kick was central, 30 yards out, and he whipped it over the wall and into the top corner.

Barca were delirious but Liverpool almost grabbed an away goal when a clearance on the line fell kindly for Salah, who hammered against the post and left Liverpool with little hope of making the Madrid final.

Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:

Author
View 213 comments
Close
213 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn coughlan
    Favourite Eamonn coughlan
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 9:17 PM

    How’s Ian nagle getting on in Newcastle and is Tony Buckley still playing for sale, anyone no?

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 10:19 PM

    Hi Eamonn, Nagle hasn’t played for Newcastle’s senior team since joining. Not sure if he is carrying an injury, but there is some strong competition at lock there. Buckley is struggling to get into the Sale squad this season when fit, has played only four times off the bench in the Premiership, as well as a handful of appearances in the Amlin CC and LV= Cup.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Donoghue
    Favourite Cian O Donoghue
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 11:41 PM

    Yeah hes injured.

    3
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keaneland
    Favourite Keaneland
    Report
    Apr 15th 2014, 9:20 AM

    Murray any chance you can start doing a roundup of ‘foreign Irish project players playing in Ireland’, it’s getting more and more difficult to keep up with them. Maybe you could include a countdown as to when their eligible.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christiaan Theron
    Favourite Christiaan Theron
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 11:44 PM

    Bring back Gareth Steenson to Connacht.He could really do a job for them and add cover for the World Cup squad.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Sheehan Neenan
    Favourite Gary Sheehan Neenan
    Report
    Apr 15th 2014, 1:52 AM

    What about Danny Barnes? How’s he getting on?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory O'Kane
    Favourite Rory O'Kane
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 11:43 PM

    Charlie Mulchrone has signed for Worcester for next season.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 11:57 PM

    Nice one Rory. I have added that into the piece now.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CPC7
    Favourite CPC7
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 11:54 PM

    Why has Gareth Steenson not been called up to the Irish squad? He is far better than paddy Jackson and seems to be our second best 10 from a poor pool. He is also in the mould of ROG which would be a great asset off the bench to close out a game (I’m thinking of you NZ).

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Woods
    Favourite Kieran Woods
    Report
    Apr 15th 2014, 9:59 AM

    Steenson is a rubbish defender

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BallHandling Hooker
    Favourite BallHandling Hooker
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 9:39 PM

    “Matt Jarvis, the Irish-qualified former Connacht player, was at out-half for Nottingham, from where he kicked three penalties and three conversions. The 23-year-old spent two seasons with the western province, having previously represented Wales at U20 level.”

    Wales’s second team is their U20s, meaning that because Matt Jarvis has played for them, he is not Irish qualified. Which is part of the reason why he didn’t stay in Connacht.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KMJOB
    Favourite KMJOB
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 9:56 PM

    Was there not an appeal to the IRB about that which IRFU won?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 10:08 PM

    Hi BallHandling, my understanding is that the IRB cleared Jarvis to play for Ireland following an appeal by the IRFU. Part of the issue was that he played for Wales U20 without having been informed that it could tie him down to them in the long-term.

    Furthermore, his cap for Wales U20 came against France, who fielded an ‘A’ team in the Churchill Cup later that year. That meant that the U20 fixture hadn’t taken place between two sides who were designated as being their country’s second national team.

    I may have that wrong, but that is my reasoning for tagging him as “Irish-qualified”, as you have quoted from the piece above.

    57
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Donoghue
    Favourite Cian O Donoghue
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 11:40 PM

    You’re spot on Murray. …

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Podge O'Donnell
    Favourite Podge O'Donnell
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 11:35 PM

    I think you are correct Murray! Read that before a whole back.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel