The chances of Spanish giants Barcelona advancing into the final of this year’s European Champions League are slim after being outclassed and humiliated by German heavyweights Bayern Munich in the first leg semi-final at the Allianz Arena.

Not even Lionel Messi – the world’s best player for the third year running – could rescue the visitors as he was clearly off-form, perhaps as a result of his recent injury. A half-fit Messi had helped to save Barca against ACMilan of Italy in the second leg quarter-final at Nou Camp but it was a different story tonight in Germany as the hosts never allowed him room to operate.

Bayern began the demolition job in the 22^nd minute when Ribery crossed from the right, with Dante heading it back across and Thomas Muller stooping at the near post to nod it in.

Bayern might have been three goals up in the first half – during which Barca managed only one shot on target – but were denied two penalty opportunities by referee Viktor Kassai from Hungary.

With the first half ending with the lone goal by Muller, Barca’s fans hoped for a second half turn-around. However, that was not to happen, as the homers simply turned on the magic, loking even deadlier than in the first stanza.

Gomez extended the lead only four minutes on the restart when he hooked home a header off a corner from the right.

For Barca, it went from bad to worse in the 73^rd minute when they were caught on the counter, with Robben shooting into the corner of the net for the third goal.

As if that was not enough, Muller completed the rout in the 82^nd minute. Schweinsteiger had surged and slipped the ball to RIbery down the left, David Alaba on the overlap and he crossed for Muller to tap in.

With this scoreline, Barca, who also exited at the quarter-final stage against eventual winners Chelsea of England last year, face an uphill task in the return leg at the Nou Camp.

•Photo courtesy Daily Telegraph shows Gomez netting the second goal.

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