Two goals for Lionel Messi gave Barcelona a firm 3-0 lead in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal match with Bayern Munich. (Getty)
Final Score
Barcelona 0-3-3
Bayern Munich 0-0-0
Lionel Messi’s magical play outlasted Manuel Neuer’s goal keeping and Barcelona drilled Bayern Munich 3-0.
The final score did not tell the story of the game, as the German goalkeeper for Bayern Munich, Neuer, impressed for the first 75 minutes of the game. After a break away in the 13th minute, Neuer stopped Barcelona forward Luis Suarez one-on-one and was outstanding with five early saves.
Lionel Messi slotted home a goal in the 77th minute after a drag back and straight shot on net. Messi was on the double in the 80th minute, as he dropped Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng and scored his 10th Champions League goal of the 2014-2015 season. The 10 goals are one better than Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Neymar scored a third goal for Barcelona in the 94th minute as Bayern Munich pushed ahead for an away goal.
The second leg of this semifinal will be played on May 12, 2015 in Munich, Germany.
For those that think a 3-0 deficit is too much for Bayern Munich, remember that Bayern Munich went down 3-1 against FC Porto in Porto, Portugal in the Champions League quarterfinals before winning 6-1 in Munich to earn a semifinal birth.
Here are the highlights:
Manuel Neuer Saved Luis Suarez’s Shot One-On-One in The 13th Minute
Luis Suarez broke out down the middle of the pitch, not picking out Neymar on the wing, but was halted by Bayern Munich goalie Manuel Neuer on his shot to the right.
Lionel Messi Scored For Barcelona in the 77th Minute
Lionel Messi pulls the ball back and scores the first goal of the game, his ninth of the Champions League.
Lionel Messi Scored For Barcelona in the 80th Minute
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi dropped Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng with a dribble and scored his second goal of this Champions League semifinal, his 10th in the Champions League. Messi has now scored 53 goals in all competitions this season. He has also moved ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid for the most goals in Champions League history with 77.
Neymar Scored For Barcelona in the 93rd Minute
As Bayern Munich pushed for an away goal in the Champions League semifinal match against Barcelona on May 6, 2015, Barcelona forward Neymar was left wide open on the offensive side of the pitch and beat Manuel Neuer for Barcelona’s third goal of the game. The goal was Neymar’s seventh in Champions League competition in 2014-2015 and closed off the game for the home side.
Lineups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano (Batra 89′), Jordi Alba, Busquets, Rakitic (Xavi 82′), Iniesta (Rafinha 87′); Suarez, Messi, Neymar
Barcelona Reserves: Bravo, Bartra, Adriano, Vermaelen, Xavi, Rafinha, Pedro
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Benatia, Bernat; Lahm, Alonso, Thiago, Schweinsteiger; Muller (Gotze 78′), Lewandowski
Bayern Munich Reserves: Reina, Dante, Martinez, Gaudino, Gotze, Weiser, Pizarro
Stats
Goals: Barcelona- Messi (77′, 80′); Neymar (90′ +4)
Shots (on goal) : Barcelona- 15 (8), Bayern Munich- 8(0)
Possession: Bayern Munich- 54%, Barcelona- 46%
Tackles: Bayern Munich- 27, Barcelona- 20
Fouls: Barcelona- 16, Bayern Munich- 14
Yellow Cards: Bayern Munich- Xabi Alonso (35′); Benatia (52′); Bernat (56′), Barcelona- Alves (46′); Pique (67′); Neymar (69′)
Preview
Bayern Munich will travel to Barcelona for the first leg of a Champions League semifinal match on May 6, 2015.This will be the 9th meeting for these European powers.
Bayern Munich, 2013-2014 semifinalists in the Champions League, have a 7-1-2 record in their 10 Champions League matches this season with a goal difference of 22. Bayern Munich needed a 6-1 victory in Munich to dismiss FC Porto 7-4 on aggregate to make their fourth Champions League semifinal in the past five seasons as well. This will be the 17th Champions League semifinal appearance for Bayern Munich
Barcelona is 9-0-1 in the Champions League this season with a goal differential of 16. Barcelona beat PSG on aggregate 5-1 to make it to their fourth Champions League semifinal in the past five seasons. Barcelona will make their 16th Champions League semifinal appearance.
Bayern Munich has the upper hand in the eight previous fixtures with Barcelona, posting a 5-2-1 record. They last played in the semifinals of the 2012-2013 Champions League, with Bayern Munich winning 7-0 on aggregate. Bayern Munich has a goal differential of six in these games and has never beaten Bayern Munich without Pep Guardiola as head coach.
