Another Lionel Messi-inspired display helped Barcelona exact revenge on Juventus to open their Champions League campaign with a resounding 3-0 win on Tuesday.

The Argentine was involved in all three goals as he beat Gianluigi Buffon for the first time in his career to open the floodgates just before half-time. Ivan Rakitic added a second after Messi’s run and cross opened up the Juventus defence before he rounded off the scoring by drilling home his second of the evening, 19 minutes from time.

The Messi goal-fest was the perfect antidote to the off-field crisis going on at Camp Nou after the transfer of Neymar and the subsequent foray in the market to find a replacement. But on Tuesday, the team put all that behind to notch an impressive win over the team that had dumped the Catalans out last season.

The triumph was celebrated by fans all over Twitter as Messi’s incredible individual effort was the toast of a football-filled night as European football returned.

Here are the two splendid goals

When Messi finally broke the Buffon barrier

For all his prolific Champions League record, Messi has never scored past the Italian goalkeeper, which was also one of the reasons why Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League early last season. But amidst the off-field fracas, the talisman striker finally found his way past Buffon not once, but twice in one night. Naturally, Twitter had much to say when the drought finally ended.

Praise and awe


Do you prefer your favourite sports stories delivered straight to your inbox every weekday? We have got you covered. Subscribe to The Field’s newsletter.