It should have been 3-0 straight after the break when Courtois passed the ball straight to Suarez, but the Chelsea keeper them redeemed himself with a fine one-on-one save.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde decided not to further risk Iniesta's injured hamstring and replaced him with Paulinho, before Sergio Busquets also had to leave the game to be replaced by Andre Gomes, who only a couple of days earlier confessed his confidence problems at the club.

The home side were under pressure, but once again Messi stamped his authority on the game beating Courtois with a low show from the left hand side of the area to put the result beyond doubt.

Courtois saved well to deny Paulinho's header in the closing minutes, but a fourth goal would have been harsh on Chelsea, who for periods of the game had threatened, but Barca have a player called Messi and they don't.