FC Barcelona took the first step towards advancing to the Champions League Final with a 3-0 win over Liverpool FC on Wednesday night.
This highly-anticipated matchup pitted two of the strongest teams in world soccer against one another in a matchup that promised fireworks and star performances. It should be no surprise that Barcelona ace Leo Messi stole the show on Wednesday.
Messi scored two goals and provided an assist in Barcelona’s victory over Liverpool. The Argentinian forward had one of the most brilliant performances of his career, bringing the Camp Nou to its feet on several occasions.
Barcelona’s first goal came in only the 15th minute of the game, when Messi threaded a picture-perfect pass into the box to Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan striker buried the shot past Alisson Becker to open the scoring.
Messi’s magic came on full display in the second half. He scored a tap-in goal after Suárez hit the crossbar in the 75th minute, and then the goal of the night, and possibly the season, happened.
The Argentinian scored a brilliant free-kick goal that was perfectly slotted into the top corner of the net to give Barça a 3-0 lead that wouldn’t change until the final whistle blew.
Barcelona now has a commanding advantage and is the favorite as the tie moves to Anfield next Tuesday night.
