Barcelona 6-1 Roma: Messi and Suarez hit doubles in rout (2024)

Lionel Messi scored his first goals since a two-month injury lay-off as Barcelona clinched top spot in Champions League Group E after thrashing Roma 6-1 at the Nou Camp.

Messi, back in the starting line-up, helped himself to a brace as the hosts, fresh from their 4-0 win over Real Madrid, rounded off a string of superb passing moves.

Luis Suarez also scored twice and Neymar, the third member of the famous attacking trio, was also in fine form despite missing a late penalty.

The Roma defence has been leaking goals in the Champions League and the Italian side have now conceded 16 in five matches but despite this demolition, they still have a chance of qualifying.

The result of the early match in Group E meant that Barca had already qualified for the last 16 but there was no hint of complacency from the defending champions as they tore into Roma from the off.

Messi, who was eased into the action off the bench at the weekend on his return from injury, led the Barca charge, drawing a fine one-handed save from Arsenal loanee Wojciech Szczesny and then turning the ball into the net from a Neymar cross, although the Brazilian had been incorrectly ruled offside.

The Argentina international then squandered a great chance when he shot wide of the post after being put through by an excellent Sergio Busquets pass.

Roma were struggling to make an impression but out of nowhere they conjured up a brilliant opportunity to score against the run of play, only to squander it as Edin Dzeko put his header over the bar from Radja Nainggolan's cross when he looked certain to find the net.

And Barca then took the lead when Neymar's brilliant pass picked out Dani Alves down the right and he squared to set up a tap-in for Suarez (15).

And the advantage was doubled three minutes later when Barca produced a trademark passing move in which every player bar the goalkeeper touched the ball before Messi dinked a shot over Szczesny, having exchanged passes with Suarez.

The pace slowed for the remainder of the first half but the hosts finished it on a high when Roma skipper Seydou Keita headed a cross clear but straight to Suarez, who finished in tremendous style, smashing a sumptuous first-time volley past Szczesny.

Roma should have pulled one back after the break but Iago Falque put his shot too close to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who pulled off a decent stop.

Barca upped the pace again and nominal centre-back Gerard Pique (56) tucked away their fourth from close range, inevitably after brilliant work from Neymar, Suarez and Messi.

The dynamic trio combined again on the hour, Neymar doing brilliantly down the left before crossing to Suarez, and his flick was turned in by Messi at the second attempt, after Szczesny had saved his first effort.

After a brief period of respite, Roma brought Salih Ucan off the bench but within seconds he had fouled Neymar in the box.

Despite being on hat-tricks, Messi and Suarez generously let their Brazilian team mate take the spot-kick but he was a little casual and Szczesny pulled off a good save, only to look on aghast as sub Adriano (77) smashed the rebound into the roof of the net to make it 6-0.

The penalty drama then moved to the other end of the pitch as Dzeko was blocked in the box by Thomas Vermaelen, only to see his spot-kick kept out by Ter Stegen, diving to his left.

But the former Manchester City striker did have the final say on the night, heading home a consolation goal from an excellent Lucas Digne crossseconds before the full-time whistle blew.

A chastened Roma side will still reach the last 16 if they can beat Bate Borisov at home in their final group match while this swaggering Barcelona outfit will have nothing to play for at Bayer Leverkusen but are still sure to attract plenty of interest, such is their rich vein of form.