Messi fires Barça back into semis after three-year absence

Barcelona 3-0 Manchester United: match report

Barcelona are back in a Champions League semi-final after a three-year absence thanks to a dominant display against Manchester United at Camp Nou as they built on their advantage from the first leg. Messi scored a first half double to put the game out of reach before Coutinho wrapped things up with a tradermark curler in the second half.

The spectre of that night in Rome last year has haunted the players ever since it happened. As a football club and an insitution, they were rattled after losing from such a formidable position. Add to that defeats by Atlético Madrid and Juventus in previous years and this group of Barça players might have been excused for wondering if and not when they might make it back to the last final.

With that hurt, however, also came an underlying commitment within this squad that the Champions League is the holy grail this year and nothing else will suffice. After watching Real Madrid lift the trophy for the last three years in a row despite Messi and co. being the best team in Spain for two of those years and playing some scintilating football during at that time, they felt like it was time to restore themselves to former glory. They won't get a chance to knock Real Madrid off their perch personally but are keen to let the world know who Spain's alpha respresentative are in European competition.

Lionel Messi was given a rare rest against Huesca at the weekend as Ernesto Valverde learned his lesson from last year. He played a strong eleven to beat Leganés last season before being ambushed in Italy a couple of days after. The 10 outfield players were rested on Saturday in fact and while they started rusty, it didn't take them long to get back into their stride.

Manchester United, with nothing to lose, bolted out the door and Rashford saw a shot strike the crossbar before McTominay had a chance but couldn't take down the ball inside the box shortly after that might have seen him through on goal.

Barcelona and Messi soon got to grips with United's intense start. Ashley Young gifted them the ball deep in their own half before Messi nutmegged Fred and struck to De Gea's right. The Spanish keeper was left grasping at fresh air as Valverde could finally breathe after a nervous start.

It's a good idea to keep on nodding terms with your own past but Barcelona might have been a little too nostalgic over that night in Rome. That was when Messi, their God and saviour, stepped up.

He was on hand four minutes later too and lady luck might be claiming the assist. He struck and the ball rolled under David de Gea's body for what should have been a routine stop for the Spain number one.

After that, United were deflated, the monkey was off Barcelona's back and they were playing like with the shackles off and with a semi-final coming into focus.

The stats speak for themselves with United only registering three shots on target over 180 minutes. They failed to ruffle a feather at the Camp Nou on Tuesday after that opening spell and once Messi scored his brace, they were never coming back.

Philippe Coutinho curled home the goal of the game on 61 minutes and quickly put his fingers in his ears after being on the recieving end of some negative feedback recently from his own fans. Messi's second was the final nail in United's coffin as the Brazilian lowered them down.

It was almost a case of damage limitation after that for Solskjaer's side with Messi in the mood and Barcelona with the momentum. 3-0 was as bad as it got, however, despite chances for Suárez and Messi again later on.

Barcelona have the league wrapped up and a Copa del Rey final to look forward to. But the one they really want is one step closer to becoming a reality after a convicing victory over Manchester United at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

Barcelona vs Manchester United live online: match updates

Barcelona vs Manchester United live online: preview

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returns to the scene of one of the most iconic moments in Manchester United history as his side travel to Camp Nou on Tuesday night. The problem is that Barcelona are unbeaten in 30 games at their home stadium in Europe and Solskjaer admits that his attackers are lacking confidence and the kind of ruthless streak it takes to beat the very best.

Barcelona

Barcelona have a full strength squad with Messi, Suárez and all ten of their outfield players rested for the game against Huesca at the weekend. This time last year, they beat Leganés with a strong team out before capitulating to Roma in the second leg in Italy. Luis Suárez admitted it was a mistake to play and Valverde learned his lesson. His best players are rested and ready for action with Messi "fully fit" after the blow he recieved from Chris Smalling in the first leg. The only real doubt for Valverde is whether to

Manchester United

Manchester United were lucky to beat West Ham admitted Solskjaer after their game at the weekend and they have hit a slump recently with reports suggesting the manager is concerned over their conditioning. It's not the best time to be playing a fully fit Barcelona side with questions lingering over tactics and fitness. He should start a back five with Luka Shaw out injured and potentially being replaced by Ashley Young. It remains to be seen whether they have the firepower to hurt Barcelona with OGS admitting they are lacking confidence and if they do attack whether they can keep Messi and co. quiet enough up the other end.