Barca on verge of Champions League quarter-finals

Barcelona took a massive step towards a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 win in their first leg tie at Beyer Leverkusen.

The Germans set out to frustrate the reigning Champions but their hard work was undone in the 41^st minute when Alexis Sanchez ran on to a through ball and poked it through the legs of the on-rushing keeper. Leverkusen came out for the second half intent on making a game of it and drew level on 52 minutes when Vedran Corluka floating in a cross for Kadlec to head home.

The celebrations of the home fans virtually died in their throats four minutes later when Alexis raced on to a ball by Fabregas to round the keeper and slot home his second. In the 64^th minute the Germans came close to levelling the tie when a fierce drive from Gonzalo Castro forced Valdes into a fingertip save. After Messi had hit the crossbar for Barca, Leverkusen introduced Stefan Kiessling and moments later he had Valdes scrambling to save his goal-bound header.

Two minutes from time, Messi combined beautifully with Dani Alves to cut through the Leverkusen defence and wrap up the game at 3-1. Leverkusen face an almost impossible task in the return leg and the Spaniards remain firmly on course to retain the Cup.

In Tuesday night’s other Champions League tie, Lyon grabbed a 1-0 victory at home to Apoel Nicosia. The Cypriots were intent of keeping a clean sheet and held on grimly until the 58^th minute when Lacazette relieved the tension for the home fans.

Lyon started out with confidence, belying their poor recent league form that has seen them slip 11 points adrift of leaders Paris St Germain. A penalty appeal was dismissed in the 2^nd minute and they struggled to turn their possession into real opportunities. They came closest just before the break when Lacazette had a shot tipped over by Chiotis.

At the start of the second period, Michel Bastos sent Ederson through on goal only for Paulo Jorge to clear off the line. Lyon finally got the breakthrough when Lacazette cut inside to hit a speculative shot that hit Jorge and cruelly looped over Chiotis. They were unable to extend their lead and must now take a slender advantage to Nicosia for the return leg with the tie still wide open.