Brazilian star Neymar set up Messi for the opener in the third minute and the Barca captain added a second from close range in the 27th minute after Parkhead striker Moussa Dembele had a penalty saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
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Suarez, another of Luis Enrique’s key men, took over the late show with a sensational brace to his name – one through a volley and another with a stretched-out side-foot tap. The German team came onto the field to applaud the away supporters and performed the “Thunderclap”, made famous by Iceland at the European Championship.
Iniesta replaced Rakitic and only four minutes had elapsed when Messi was fouled by Nir Bitton, giving Neymar the opportunity from 25 yards to stick the ball in the top corner leaving De Vries clutching air.
Champions League records, once believed to be impossible to attain, have kept stumbling after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo took to the pitch.
The German global has now saved three out of four penalties in the Champions League for Barca.
Rodgers, who had described Suarez, whom he worked with at Liverpool, as the best player in the world before the game, acknowledged the prowess of the Catalan giants who were on a different level to the Scottish champions.
“He plays everywhere because he has freedom”.
Arsenal-PSH clash proved to be entertaining after Edinson Cavani helped the French side to a blistering start as he scored the first goal, 42 seconds after the first whistle.
The worst possible start for Arsenal hinted at a potential lopsided affair but the Gunners got out of jail with Alexis Sanchez’s leveller inside the final quarter of an hour. We can still get better though, our communication and understanding of each other is improving all the time.
Five-time champion Bayern Munich gave Russian debutant Rostov a rude welcome in Group D, winning 5-0 in a record 13th consecutive win at home in the competition.
“Can we win the Champions League?” “I thought in the first period of the game our set-up and organisation was good”.
Benfica led Besiktas from Franco Cervi’s 12th-minute goal but Talisca curled home a stoppage time equalizer against his own club who had loaned him off to Turkey in summer.
Meanwhile, it is was a much-needed win for the Barcelona to return from the shameless defeat in the last match against 2-1 defeat to Alaves.
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Barca was fined $170,00 for the same offense – such political statements are banned – during last season’s competition, with a portion of the fine suspended for two years.
