Lionel Messi helped give Celtic another harsh Champions League lesson with a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed the Hoops 7-0 in their Group C opener at the Nou Camp.
Brazilian star Neymar set up record breaker Messi for the opener in the third minute and the Barca captain added a second from close range in the 27th minute after Celtic striker Moussa Dembele had a penalty saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Neymar added a third five minutes into the second half with a wonderful free-kick, substitute Andres Iniesta scored with an even better volley and then Messi tapped in for his third with half an hour to play - his sixth Champions League treble. As Celtic continued to chase shadows Luis Suarez grabbed a double to give Celtic their heaviest European defeat.
STAR MAN
In his pre-match press conference Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers described Luis Suarez as the best player in the world. However, Lionel Messi showed why many believe he should wear the crown with a wonderful performance.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Andres Iniesta's volley to make it 4-0 was sheer class on a night when the home side were back to their very best.
VIEW FROM THE BENCH
Brendan Rodgers refuted any suggestions that this was a "free match" for Celtic, saying he was keen to get a positive result. However, he would not have envisaged this in his worst nightmare.
RATINGS
Dorus de Vries 7/10
Cristian Gamboa 5
Mikael Lustig 6
Kolo Toure 6
Erik Sviatchenko 5
Kieran Tierney 7
Patrick Roberts 5
Scott Brown 6
Nir Bitton 6
Scott Sinclair 7
Moussa Dembele 5
Substitutes:
Stuart Armstrong 5
Eoghan O'Connell 5
Callum McGregor 5
WHO'S UP NEXT?
Inverness v Celtic (Ladbrokes Premiership, September 18)
Source: PA-WIRE
