Messi exchanges a slick one-two with Sánchez, bursts through on goal, but from a slightly wide angle his right-foot shot misses the near post. It’s an early big chance that goes agonisingly wide.

Messi combines quickly with Sánchez again and slips him a pass inside the box, but Cahill blocks the effort as Barcelona’s sharp interchanges unsettle Chelsea. Messi is central to the move’s quick feet.

Messi drops deeper and clips a lofted pass forward that Cech comes out to claim confidently, as Barcelona circulate the ball against temporarily ten-man Chelsea.

After a brilliant Barcelona move capped by Fàbregas’s backheel into his path, Messi shoots from close range but Cech blocks with his feet. It’s another clear opportunity that he cannot convert.

Messi drops into midfield, shows tight close control and tries to thread a pass between Fàbregas and Sánchez, but the space is too crowded and the move breaks down.

Cuenca’s cross runs through to Sánchez, and Messi attempts a deft lobbed pass into the danger area, but Ivanovic anticipates and cuts it out.

From a rehearsed free-kick routine, Xavi flicks the ball back to Messi on the edge of the box, but his powerful effort smashes into the Chelsea wall.

Busquets wins the ball and Sánchez drives at the retreating defence before finding Messi, who slides a precise pass left to Iniesta for a composed finish. Messi’s vision and timing unlock Chelsea for Barcelona’s goal.

Early in the second half, Messi drives into the box and is clipped with slight contact, earning Barcelona a penalty and a huge chance to restore their lead.

Messi charges through, stays on his feet despite almost being tripped, but Bosingwa ultimately clears the danger as he’s crowded out. The run nearly opens Chelsea up.

From the penalty spot, Messi smashes his kick against the crossbar with Cech beaten, failing to restore Barcelona’s advantage in a pivotal moment. The woodwork denies him yet again.

Messi receives a yellow card after losing the ball to Lampard and then hauling him down as the Chelsea midfielder tried to break away.

Messi combines with Iniesta to fashion a shooting chance, but his effort is blocked, as is Xavi’s follow-up, with Kalou back helping Chelsea’s packed defence.

Cutting inside onto his left, Messi unleashes a fierce shot that beats Cech but cannons off the post, with the woodwork once more denying the world’s best player.

Despite looking tired, Messi still drives at the Chelsea defence, but Cole tracks him well and clears the ball before he can break through.

Messi tries to combine with Keita around the box but the move breaks down, allowing Cech to gather safely before launching another long clearance.

Messi curls in a dangerous ball that Ivanovic heads clear, and Mascherano follows up with a long-range drive that Cech palms behind as Barcelona continue to press.