UCL Semi-Finals: Messi net brace as Barcelona breeze through Liverpool 3 - 0 at Camp Nou

Barcelona Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate after scoring against Liverpool - Getty/Express

Lionel Messi's two second-half goals - including a stunning free-kick - earned Barcelona a handsome advantage and left Liverpool with an almighty task in their Champions League semi-final.

The Reds were in the ascendancy despite going behind to Luis Suarez's first-half strike - but they were then hit by a double sucker-punch from the Barcelona number 10.

Barcelona players grateful to fans for their support - Reuters/Express

The Argentine forward's first was instinctive, as he followed up Suarez's shot that came off the bar, but the second was majestic as he found Alisson's top-right corner from 25 yards out. That was his 600th goal for the Spanish giants.

Liverpool players dispirited after their 3 - 0 fall inside Camp Nou - Reuters/Express

Liverpool came agonisingly close to a potentially crucial away goal when Roberto Firmino's strike was cleared off the line, before Salah somehow struck the post rather than scoring with the follow-up.

Messi's first official goal... - As posted... 👇👇

The first of 600 ⚽
🔙 Leo's 1st official goal came 14 years ago today 🐐#Messi600 pic.twitter.com/PYPt74qxeU
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 1, 2019

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele should have put the tie out of the Premier League side's reach in the closing seconds, but he scuffed it straight at Alisson from a few yards out.

Messi is Unbelievable - As posted... 👇👇