Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo… We are witnessing two of the greatest players in history. And when one decides on Tuesday, the other goes there and does the same on Wednesday. After Cristiano Ronaldo puts Juventus into the last wight yesterday, it was now Messi’s turn to be crowned with a display of those we are accustomed to. Two goals and two assists in Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Lyon in Camp Nou – Coutinho, Pique, and Dembélé also rocked the nets while Tousart discounted. The Catalans go to the quarterfinals for the 12th consecutive time.

The result suggests a game that did not happen though. The truth is that Barcelona was under threat until the 78th minute when Messi scored the third. Until then, Lyon – who discounted in the 58th at the final stage – came in danger and dreamed of the same feat of Ajax and Manchester United. But the French also defended very badly and, with spaces, the Barça was lethal, arriving at the thrashing with Piqué and Dembélé, always in counterattacks.

Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, in a beautiful penalty kick by Suárez. In the final stage, received from Busquets in the middle, advanced and gave a cut that left Marcelo and Denayer on the ground before finishing with the right to make the second. In the sequence, he took advantage of the spaces to serve Piqué and Dembélé and to close another great performance in the season. Routine.

With the 5-1 win over the Frenchmen, Barcelona set a new record in Champions League history by remaining undefeated in 30 home games (27 wins and three draws), beating Bayern between 1998 and 2002.

Barcelona can face any of the other seven qualifiers. The draw for the quarter-finals, which has four English sides for the first time since 2008/09 and Barça for the 12th time in a row will take place on Friday the 15th.