Lionel Messi reached 600 goals for Barcelona in style and gave the Catalan giants a commanding lead in their Champions League clash with Liverpool.
The landmark strike came 14 years to the day since the 31-year-old opened his account for the club against Albacete. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has now scored 26 goals against English clubs in this competition - 14 more than any other player.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring against his former side before a second half double from the Argentina international secured a 3-0 win for Ernesto Valverde's side at the Camp Nou.
The second was a stunning long range free-kick - Messi’s eighth of the season - which is twice as many as another other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
Suarez's strike was his first of the Champions League campaign, coming courtesy of his 36th shot in the competition.
bet365 make Jurgen Klopp's side 10/1 (11.0) to overturn the deficit and qualify from the tie. Barca meanwhile are just 1/20 (1.05) to progress to the Madrid showpiece.
With one foot already in the final according to the odds compilers, the same firm offer just 4/9 (1.44) that the Spanish champions add a European crown to their season's trophy haul.
Liverpool have drifted to 18/1 (19.0) in the outright winner market after suffering their joint-heaviest defeat in Champions League history.
Getty ImagesIn terms of the second leg, bet365 make Liverpool Even money (2.0) favourites to come out on top at Anfield, but only an emphatic victory would give them any hope of securing a second straight European final appearance.
While the Reds will rue their missed chances at the Camp Nou, Barcelona were emphatic in the final third. Valverde's men are 12/5 (3.40) to come out on top when they head to Merseyside and a draw is priced at 11/4 (3.75) at the time of writing.
Klopp's side can draw insipration from Roma's 3-0 win over Barcelona in last season's Champions League, albeit the Italian side qualified on away goals on that occasion which is a luxury that Liverpool won't be afforded after drawing a blank in the first meeting.
Tottenham have a tough task on their hands in the other semi-final with Spurs 12/5 (3.40) underdogs to get the better of Ajax. Mauricio Pochettino's side trail 1-0 from the first leg ahead of their trip to Amsterdam and bet365 offer the Dutch side at 10/3 (4.33) to lift their first Champions League trophy since 1995.
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