Cesar Azpilicueta: 'Lionel Messi the difference'

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has claimed that Lionel Messi "made the difference" over the two legs of their Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona.

Messi scored three times against Chelsea - including twice in Wednesday's 3-0 victory at Camp Nou - as Barcelona secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition with a 4-1 aggregate success.

Azpilicueta has said that Chelsea 'tried their best', but ultimately had no answer to Messi's excellence.

"It was Messi who made the difference, as he scored three goals in two games," Azpilicueta told reporters.

"It is clear he was decisive in the tie with his quality in front of goal and of course from our point of view, that is disappointing. I think our team tried the best we could do but ultimately we were not able to score any goals."

Messi scored his 99th and 100th Champions League goals against on Wednesday night.