BARCELONA -- Lionel Messi scored two and made the other as Barcelona beat Chelsea 3-0 to make the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the 11th consecutive season.
Messi opened the scoring with the quickest goal of his career, nutmegging Thibaut Courtois after just two minutes and eight seconds.
The Argentine then turned provider, beating three Chelsea players after a Cesc Fabregas mistake before setting up Ousmane Dembele to score the first goal of his Barca career before half-time.
Any hopes of a Chelsea comeback were then ended in the second half when Messi scored his second of the night, nutmegging Courtois again, to bring up 100 Champions League goals.
Positives
The treble is still alive and they still have Messi. What's not to be positive about? Dembele's contribution will also please supporters and Samuel Umtiti produced a performance which suggests he's well on his way to becoming one of the world's best defenders. If he's not there already, of course.
Negatives
Barca gave up a huge amount of chances and a more clinical side may have punished them -- or at least made more of a game of it than Chelsea did. There will also be some concern about Sergio Busquets, who was taken off early in the second half with an injury.
Manager rating (out of 10)
7 -- Ernesto Valverde's big decisions were ultimately justified. He decided to risk a half-fit Andres Iniesta from the beginning and also started Dembele when everyone expected him to keep it safe and go with Paulinho.
Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 -- The scoreline may suggest the German had a quiet night, but he had plenty to do. He made one good save from Marcos Alonso in the first half and several more routine stops after the break.
DF Sergi Roberto, 6 -- Struggled at times against Eden Hazard and Alonso but linked well with Messi and Dembele on Barcelona's right.
DF Gerard Pique, 7 -- Showed no ill-effects of a recent knee injury luckily, although he was fortunate not to give a penalty away after a challenge on Alonso in the first half.
DF Samuel Umtiti, 8 -- The pick of the Barca's defenders once again. Chelsea created plenty of openings but regularly found the France defender in the way when it mattered. There can't be many better centre-backs in the game at the moment.
DF Jordi Alba, 7 -- Another energetic performance from the in-form left-back. Was up and down the flank all night, defending well and offering an outlet in attack.
MF Sergio Busquets, 7 -- Read the game well and was assured in possession. Unfortunately, he was forced off early in the second half with an injury.
MF Ivan Rakitic, 7 -- The Croatian has been so reliable for Valverde this season. Another all-action midfield performance which included tackling, intelligence and good passing.
MF Andres Iniesta, 6 -- Started the game despite not being fit and never really hit the heights we've seen from him in the past. That said, before being taken off just after the 50-minute mark, he hadn't looked off the pace.
MF Ousmane Dembele 7 -- Will finally feel like a Barcelona player. Followed up his performance against Malaga with another decent display. Took his goal brilliantly and also showed his willingness to buy into Valverde's system, tracking back to make one brilliant tackle on Alonso in the second half.
FW Lionel Messi, 9 -- Pep Guardiola says whoever has Messi is the favourite for the Champions League. Diego Simeone said Atletico would have been Barca last weekend if he wore red and white. If he played for Chelsea, this tie may well have been different. But he doesn't. The difference once again here, scoring two to bring up 100 Champions League goals and setting up the other.
FW Luis Suarez, 7 -- A performance characterised by his selflessness and his work rate. Set up Messi's two goals and was prepared to do the dirty work, tracking N'Golo Kante all the way to the left-back position at one point.
Substitutes
MF Paulinho, 6 -- Came on for the ailing Iniesta and almost scored, his header tipped over by Courtois.
MF Andre Gomes, 6 -- Was given a brilliant reception by the home supporters after an interview this week in which he revealed he was struggling to deal with the criticism he has received from them in the past. Hopefully hearing his name echo around Camp Nou will give him confidence to kick on.
MF Aleix Vidal, 6 -- Replaced Dembele on the right and offered protection in front of Sergi Roberto.