Messi scores 100th European goal as Barca beat Olympiacos

Barcelona dominated from the opening whistle, as Olympiakos set out to limit the damage that would inevitably be inflicted on them at the Camp Nou.

The hosts had all the possession and numerous chances, but it took Olympiakos’ Nikolaou to divert a well-struck Gerard Deulofeu cross into his own net after 18 minutes to hand the hosts the lead.

There seemed to be no chance of the visitors getting back into the game until Pique diverted a rebound from a Deulofeu shot into the back of the net with his right hand. As the defender had already been booked earlier for pulling back an opponent, the referee had no choice but to send him off.

Messi reached his milestone in the 61st minute after he was the victim of a crude foul from Nikolaou 25 yards from goal. The Argentine then stepped up to curl the ball over the wall and into the net, despite the efforts of the goalkeeper.

Just three minutes later Messi took the ball to the byline, before jabbing it across the box where Digne was waiting, allowing the Frenchman to smash in the third for Barcelona from the edge of the area.

After a game to forget on the big stage for youngster Nikolaou, he was given one moment to remember as he headed home a corner to earn a late consolation for his team in the last minute of the game.

Barcelona continue their winning streak in the Champions League with three wins from three. The remain top of Group D with 9 points three ahead of Juventus who beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in Turin tonight.

Olympiacos sit bottom of the group with no points and that looks unlikely to improve as they welcome Barcelona to the Greek capital in matchday four.