Luis Suarez turns on the style as Barcelona outclass Paris Saint-Germain in Uefa Champions League

Over the past few years, Barcelona have made a habit of breaking records and rewriting the history books. Richard Jolly reports.

Luis suarez, left, celebrates his second goal with Neymar during Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Yoan Valat / EPA

Over the past few years, Barcelona have made a habit of breaking records and rewriting the history books. In the grand scheme of things, their latest milestone was comparatively minor. In the context of this Champions League, however, it could assume huge proportions.

Paris Saint-Germain had not lost at home in Europe for nine years and 33 games. Until, that is, they met Luis Enrique’s in-form side, who duly chalked up a 21st win in their last 23 attempts in emphatic, exhilarating fashion. It is an extraordinary run, but it helps to have extraordinary players. Two of them, Neymar and Luis Suarez scored, and Barcelona may feel normal service is on the brink of being resumed.

They reached the last four of the Champions League in six successive seasons before falling in the quarter-finals last year. PSG upset the odds to eliminate Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the round of 16, but it would rank as a much greater shock if they can progress from here. They were outclassed. Plenty has been against Barcelona over the years.

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They were in the ascendant from the off. Lionel Messi was denied a 400th Barcelona goal by the woodwork after he bent a 25-yard shot past the diving Salvatore Sirigu. He nonetheless contrived to make a major contribution when his side took the lead, providing the defence-splitting pass for Neymar to slot a shot under Sirigu. The Argentine and the Brazilian have formed a productive alliance and this was the 12th time this season Barcelona’s record scorer has provided a goal for their record buy.

Paris Saint-Germain began without the suspended trio of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Serge Aurier and Marco Verratti and their problems were compounded when captain Thiago Silva hobbled off. It meant they lacked the spine of the strongest side. Perhaps that explained a first-half timid performance when Javier Pastore summed up their stage fright by miskicking in front of goal.

Laurent Blanc’s side displayed a little more ambition thereafter but no sooner had the semi-fit Lucas Moura been brought on in an attacking change than Suarez took advantage of the extra space to double Barcelona’s lead, nutmegging David Luiz and darting in between Marquinhos and Maxwell before sliding his shot in. Ridiculously, Suarez contrived to nutmeg Luiz again before curling in an exquisite third.

Edinson Cavani had stung Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s palms with a well-struck volley before Paris Saint-Germain pulled a goal back. That, too, required a final touch from a Barcelona player, with Jeremy Mathieu deflecting Gregory van der Wiel’s shot past Ter Stegen.

The only other setback for Barcelona came when they had one pass master, Andres Iniesta, stretchered off. Another, Xavi, constituted a natural replacement.

It was the veteran’s 147th Champions League appearance: yet another record.

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