Barcelona 5 Lyon 1 (5-1 agg): Messi shines as La Liga giant moves into quarterfinals

Lionel Messi was brilliant as Barcelona beat Lyon 5-1 to reach the Champions League's last eight for a record 12th successive season.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring Barcelona's third goal against Olympique Lyon.

Barcelona booked a Champions League quarterfinal place with a 5-1 home win against Lyon secured thanks to Lionel Messi's inspirational performance, triumphing on aggregate by the same scoreline.

After last month's goalless first leg, Messi opened the scoring at Camp Nou from the penalty spot, with Philippe Coutinho adding a second prior to half-time in Wednesday's tie.

Although Lucas Tousart sparked hope of a second-half Lyon fightback, Barca held its nerve and Messi struck again before Gerard Pique and substitute Ousmane Dembele wrapped up the scoring to seal a place in the last eight, where a bigger test likely awaits.

AS IT HAPPENED: Barcelona vs Lyon

Barca has fallen at the quarterfinal stage in each of the past three seasons since it last lifted the trophy in 2014-15, but with giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain already eliminated, Ernesto Valverde's side now awaits Friday's draw with interest.

Anthony Lopes made a brilliant early save to deny Messi but Barca's captain beat him from 12 yards in the 17th minute.

Jason Denayer clumsily tripped Luis Suarez in the box and Messi, who had nine attempts but only one on target in the first leg, beat Lopes with a brilliant Panenka.

Moussa Dembele's drive deflected narrowly wide but Barca soon extended its lead. Arthur's superb pass found Suarez and he jinked easily through the Lyon defence to square for Coutinho to tap in before a tearful Lopes had to make way due to a head injury.

Marcal cleared Messi's delicate chip off the line after the restart but Lyon gave themselves hope by grabbing a goal back in the 58th minute.

After a spell of head tennis in the Barca box, Tousart controlled the ball and sent a low volley flying past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with the goal standing after a lengthy VAR review.

Lyon grew in confidence but it was caught out at the back with 12 minutes to go, Messi dazzling defenders before squeezing a low shot past Mathieu Gorgelin.

And the substitute goalkeeper was then beaten again twice as Barca picked Lyon off on the break, Messi sensationally setting up Pique and Dembele for further goals.

What does it mean? Barca learns its lessons

In the first leg Barca gave an oddly muted performance, but it was closer to its best here and showed a clinical edge to down Lyon despite some nerves. Suarez played a key role in both first-half goals although VAR was used to check if Denayer had fouled him for the penalty. 

Valverde's men will take some stopping if they can vanquish their quarterfinal demons in the next round. It is the 12th season in a row Barca have reached the last eight, which is a Champions League record.

Messi delivers

Barca's captain could not quite match the hat-trick heroics of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose treble helped Juventus knock out Atletico Madrid, but Messi led the way with a typical virtuoso display, which included two goals and two assists.

Not always the most clinical from the spot, Messi showed vast levels of confidence to sit Lopes down with a Panenka and he ran the show throughout, even winning the ball back in his own half on a number of occasions.

Denayer out of his depth

Suarez's quick feet and cunning was too much for Denayer and giving away an early penalty left Lyon with too much to do, as much as Bruno Genesio's men improved after the interval. Denayer was out of position far too often for Lyon.

What's next?

Barcelona, seven points clear in La Liga, returns to domestic duties on Sunday with a trip to Real Betis. Lyon is at home to Montpellier in Ligue 1 on the same day.