Barcelona are on the verge of confirming their place in the knockout stage of this season's Champions League after taking a 3-0 lead into the break in their meeting with Roma this evening.

Luis Enrique's side made a commanding start and Lionel Messi saw an early effort turned behind by Wojciech Szczesny, before Neymar had a goal ruled out after turning the ball in from close range.

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Messi soon had another chance to score after being played through on goal by Sergio Busquets, but he could only place his effort wide of the post.

Despite Barcelona's dominance, it was Roma who almost took the lead when Edin Dzeko was picked out unmarked from a corner before heading the ball over the bar.

The visitors were soon made to pay for that missed chance as Dani Alves raced on to a threaded pass from Messi, before sliding the ball to the back post where Luis Suarez was on hand to give Barcelona the lead.

Suarez would turn provider three minutes later as his flick over the defence found Messi, who kept his composure to lift the ball over Szczesny and into the corner to double the home side's tally for the evening.

The hosts remained in firm control and with a minute left to play in the first half they managed a third goal as Suarez collected a loose clearance inside the box, before volleying a powerful drive beyond the keeper and into the far corner.