Looking over football news and the Champions League, Barcelona have taken a massive step toward securing a place in the final showdown after sweeping Liverpool aside 3-nil in the first leg of their semifinal tie.

In a breathtaking match at Camp Nou on Wednesday, former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez gave Barca the lead in the 26th minute after sliding in to convert a cross in the box.

Lionel Messi then made Liverpool pay for their lack of clinical finishing early in the second half, walking the ball home from close range in the 75th minute after Suarez had hit the bar. And if that was one of Messi�s simplest goals, the next ranked among his most sensational as the Barca genius whipped a stunning free kick into the top left corner from 30 yards out.

There were opportunities at both ends of the field after that moment of magic, but none changed the scoreline with the tie likely being just as out of reach for Liverpool as that Messi masterclass was for their goalkeeper.