Barcelona kicked off their Champions League Group C campaign with a home match against Celtic.
A first-half double from Lionel Messi allowed Barcelona to lead 2-0 at the end of a first period that also saw Celtic forward Moussa Dembele miss from the penalty spot in the 24th minute.
Neymar scored Barcelona's third early in the second half, before Andres Iniesta and Messi added to the scoresheet to make it 5-0 with more than 30 minutes of football still to play in Spain.
Luis Suarez then got in on the act with a late double as Barcelona hit Celtic for seven at Camp Nou.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Camp Nou as Spanish champions Barcelona welcome Scottish champions Celtic in Group C. There is no question that the Catalan giants are the favourites to triumph tonight, but Celtic will enter the match full of confidence following their Old Firm success at the weekend. It has all the makings of a cracking game of football!
Tonight will be the ninth time that Barcelona and Celtic have clashed in the Champions League. Barcelona have won six of the previous eight, and indeed lost just once in the process. Celtic's sole victory over the Spanish giants came in November 2012 on home soil when they incredibly had just 15% of the possession but managed to record a 2-1 win. Some atmosphere that night it must be said!
Celtic have lost on their last three visits to Barcelona in the Champions League, however, including a 6-1 defeat in December 2013. Celtic are also winless in 14 previous visits to La Liga opposition and in truth, the omens are not great tonight. That said, little Alaves recorded a spectacular 2-1 victory when they travelled to Camp Nou in the league on Saturday night. Anything is possible.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. I have a sneaky feeling that Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are both in the Barcelona XI tonight after starting the Alaves match on the bench. But what about Celtic? Let's run through the two teams tonight...
TEAMS!
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Umtiti, Pique, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Gomes; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
CELTIC: De Vries; Gamboa, Lustig, Toure, Sviatchenko, Tierney; Sinclair, Bitton, Brown, Roberts; Dembele
Well then. No less than eight changes for Barcelona tonight as Luis Enrique rings the changes following their shock home defeat to Alaves in the league at the weekend. Marc-Andre ter Stegen replaces Jasper Cillessen in goal, while Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba return at the back. In midfield, Andre Gomes replaces Denis Suarez, while Messi and Luis Suarez rejoin Neymar in the final third of the field. Andres Iniesta will continue his comeback from the bench.
As for Celtic, Brendan Rodgers has made two changes to the team that thumped Rangers 5-1 at the weekend. Cristian Gamboa, who debuts, and Patrick Roberts take the places of James Forrest and Tom Rogic, while there also appears to be a change of formation, with Rodgers naming a five-man defence. Moussa Dembele, fresh from his hat-trick at the weekend, leads the line for the Scottish champions.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 35 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Barcelona. I shall speak about Celtic a little bit later, but let's start with the home team, who have incredibly won the Champions League in four of the last 11 seasons. No other team has won it more than twice during the same period – Real Madrid triumphed in 2014 and 2016.
What's more, Barcelona have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in seven of the last nine seasons. The only exceptions were in the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons, when they lost to Atletico Madrid on both occasions. Luis Enrique managed the treble during his first season in charge, but Atletico blocked their path last season and they had to settle for a domestic double.
Barcelona have also won their last 11 Champions League games on home soil – scoring 29 times in the process. Indeed, a 12th home win in a row would equal the record in the competition which is currently held by both Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Tough ask for Celtic tonight!
Adding to that impressive run, the Spanish giants have won eight of their last 10 Champions League group games and have found the back of the net in 37 of their last 38 games at this stage. That said, as mentioned, the Catalan giants will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Alaves at the weekend. They opened the new La Liga season with victories over Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao, but suffered a 2-1 reverse at the weekend to leave them three points behind Real Madrid.
As for Celtic, they will enter this match off the back of a 5-1 win over Rangers in the Old Firm derby at the weekend. Rodgers's side have now won all four of their Scottish Premiership matches this season and currently top the pile, two points clear of second-place Hearts, who have played one game more.
It was not exactly a comfortable progression into the group stages of the Champions League, however, as the Scottish outfit suffered a serious scare in the playoff round. They beat Hapoel Be'er Sheva 5-2 in the first leg on home soil, but lost 2-0 in the return and had to hold on to book their spot in the group stage. It could have been so different after a poor second-leg performance.
This is Celtic's ninth participation in the group stages of the Champions League and their first since the 2013-14 season. They actually had to go through three qualifying rounds to make this stage – overcoming Lincoln Red Imps, Astana and as mentioned, Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the playoff round.
New Celtic boss Rodgers was named Scottish manager of the month in August after leading the club to the top of the Scottish Premiership, into the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals and the group stage of the Champions League. His team have scored 31 times in 11 competitive matches this season, but have only won two of their five away from home and tonight is a serious, serious test.
Group C's other two teams – Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach – were also due to lock horns at the Etihad tonight, but that game has been officially called off due to the extreme weather in Manchester! It is a tough ask for Celtic to finish in the top two in this particular group and it might well come down to a battle for third spot between themselves and Monchengladbach.
Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the first period in Barcelona. It is a really tough ask for Celtic to come and win tonight, but little Alaves managed it at the weekend. You sense that the first 20, 25 minutes could play a big role in the outcome. It should be a cracker!
KICKOFF! Celtic kick things off in Spain...
... Dembele lets Pique know he is there with a barge that sends the centre-back off the field! That is exactly what Rodgers would have wanted in the early moments. Pique not best pleased though.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Celtic (Messi)
Well, that did not take long. Barcelona make the breakthrough in just the third minute of this match as Messi breaks into the Celtic box before firing his effort into the top corner. It was one pass from Neymar that released the Argentine and it was just too easy. Celtic's defence nowhere to be seen!
Celtic would have wanted to frustrate the home supporters in the opening 10, 15 minutes of this match. But it is too easy for Barcelona at the moment as they continue to move the ball. Alba breaks through for the home side once again, but the offside flag just about spares Celtic's blushes.
Alba hits the deck and stays there in a wide position after clashing with Roberts.
Celtic just need a two, three-minute period in possession of the ball, but Barcelona are absolutely surrounding the Hoops at the moment every time they misplace a pass, which is not often. Umtiti and Pique are being allowed to move very high up the field before picking passes into midfield.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Dembele is holding the line for Celtic and closing the ball when possible, but he needs support.
Aside from Dembele, all out Celtic's outfield players are behind the ball at the moment. It is like a attack versus defence exercise in training and Barcelona, more often than not, find a route through. It is just about damage limitation for Celtic at this stage after they conceded so, so early here.
CLOSE! It is serious from Messi as the Argentine produces a nut-meg before curling one towards the far corner, but his effort is just wide of the post. What a player this man is!
CLOSE! Sensational from Messi as the Argentine picks out a wonderful pass into Suarez at the far post, but the striker just cannot connect. Celtic are just about holding on at the moment.
Celtic will get chances tonight, but they must make sure that they are still in the game when they arrive. In fairness, they have managed to prevent further damage after Messi made the breakthrough in just the third minute of action. Still the home side dominate the ball on home soil.
Barcelona are not really in any real rush at the moment as they continue to move the ball from left to right in a bid to pull Celtic out of their shape. A second Barcelona goal at this stage and it would be very difficult to see the visitors resounding. Neymar looks for Messi, but De Vries is out to claim.
PENALTY CELTIC!
BOOKING! Ter Stegen (Barcelona) is booked as the German goalkeeper brings Dembele to the ground inside the box. What an opportunity for the home side to level the scores!
SAVE! Dembele sees his penalty saved by Ter Stegen!
It was a super pass from Sinclair that released Dembele inside the Barcelona box, but Ter Stegen stood his ground and made the save. You have to feel for the young French forward there.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Celtic (Messi)
Too good from Barcelona, or two good from Barcelona. The home side have their second of the match and it is wonderful as Messi and Neymar combine inside the Celtic box before the Argentine pokes home at the final moment. It is just wonderful work from two of this brilliant front three.
Oh, Sinclair almost breaks away down the right for the visitors, but the ball had just gone out of play and it is another frustrating moment for Celtic, who are really up against it in Barcelona now.
Half-chance for the home side as Suarez looks to lift the ball over the Celtic goalkeeper after Messi had turned a pass into the striker, but his effort was always wide of the post. Another let-off there.
Dembele might have missed a penalty tonight, but he has made a real impression in the final third. It is obvious that Barcelona are wary of the striker's pace and it was through that avenue that he won Celtic's spot kick. The Frenchman needs more from Patrick Roberts down the right though.
OFF THE LINE! Tierney clears a Rakitic effort off the line from a corner!
SAVE! De Vries gets down to keep out a low Neymar strike as the pressure continues from the home team, who are looking to finish the job in the first period of this match.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Barcelona still lead 2-0 courtesy of a double from Messi. Celtic had a glorious chance to score from the penalty spot in the 24th minute, but Dembele saw his effort saved. The Scottish champions cannot afford to concede a third at this stage.
BOOKING! Rakitic (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Brown.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Sinclair has the ball in the back of the net for Celtic, but the former Swansea forward was offside when Tierney's effort had found the number 11. Great finish mind!
Barcelona look to work the ball once again and Neymar goes down inside the Celtic box under pressure from three defenders, but the referee is not interested. More pressure for Celtic to face.
Messi lashes one over the crossbar as Celtic continue to struggle at the back.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Celtic
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 2-0 courtesy of a first-half double from Lionel Messi. Celtic had a glorious chance to level the scores in the 24th minute when Dembele went down inside the Barcelona box, but the 20-year-old saw his effort saved by Ter Stegen. For the neutral, it has been a very entertaining game of football.
STATISTICS! Barcelona dominated the possession with 68%, while they hit the target with three of their eight first-half attempts. Two bookings to report for the home side, with Ter Stegen and Rakitic both picking up yellow cards. Celtic, meanwhile, only managed one shot on target and that was the missed spot kick from Dembele. Somewhat surprisingly, no Celtic players are in the referee's book.
BENCH WATCH! Rafinha, Iniesta, Alcacer and Turan are all on the Barcelona bench tonight and it will be interesting to see whether Messi, who is only just back from a groin problem, stays on for the full 90 minutes. As for Celtic, Rodgers has options in the shape of Forrest, Rogic and Armstrong.
RESTART! Barcelona resume the action in Spain...
BARCELONA SUB! Iniesta has replaced Rakitic for the home side.
It would be fair to say that Celtic need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result tonight. A third for Barcelona and it would be game, set and match.
Barcelona have a free kick just outside the Celtic box as Bitton brings Messi to the deck...
... GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Celtic (Neymar)
Neymar finds the top corner with a super free kick to send Barcelona three goals ahead.
This is just about damage limitation now for Celtic as Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Messi will be keen to complete his hat-trick, while Luis Suarez will want to join Neymar and Messi on the scoresheet. I would be surprised if there were not more goals here.
It will be interesting to see when Celtic boss Rodgers looks to his bench tonight. Roberts has really struggled to make an impact in a wide position and the Northern Irishman might look to provide more support to right-back Lustig. Barcelona continue to dominate possession of the ball here.
BOOKING! Brown (Celtic) is booked for a late tackle on Neymar.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Celtic (Iniesta)
Oh my word that is special! Barcelona have their fourth of the night as Neymar delivers a sensational cross onto the right boot of Iniesta, whose volley flies into the back of the net!
GOAL! Barcelona 5-0 Celtic (Messi, hat-trick)
It is five for Barcelona and a hat-trick for Messi as the Argentine taps a Suarez cross into the back of the net from close range. Celtic have just absolutely fallen apart in the last few minutes.
BARCELONA SUB! Rafinha replaces Busquets for the home side.
Still more than 25 minutes of this match remaining and you sense that more goals are on their way. Luis Suarez has not yet scored tonight and will be desperate to join Neymar and Messi!
Bitton has just tried one from inside his own half, but Ter Stegen simply stands and collects.
CELTIC SUBS! Roberts and Sviatchenko are replaced by O'Connell and Armstrong.
Little under 20 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona remain in control of the possession as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Celtic are sitting 11 behind the ball.
Rafinha has a shot blocked en route to goal after Neymar set up his fellow Brazilian inside the Celtic box. Neymar has turned into the assist king tonight. He has been absolutely brilliant for the home side.
GOAL! Barcelona 6-0 Celtic (Suarez)
It is six for Barcelona as Luis Suarez controls a super pass from Neymar before smashing the ball into the back of the net. The goal just had to come for Suarez. Six of the best for the hosts.
CELTIC SUB! McGregor replaces Bitton for the away side.
Barcelona want seven as they continue to work the ball in the final third of the field and Celtic need to be very careful that they do not fall apart in the final 10 minutes. Could become seven or eight.
I am a little surprised that Messi has not been replaced after completing his hat-trick, but the Argentine probably wants four or five before leaving the field. Celtic have now made all three of their permitted changes and it is all about pride for the Scottish side in the final stages here.
Little over five minutes remaining and Barcelona still search for more goals here.
Just a reminder that Group A's other match between Man City and Monchengladbach had to be postponed due to the extreme weather in Manchester, which had made the pitch unplayable. Barcelona will advance immediately to the top of the section and in truth, they have been too good tonight.
POST! Messi hits the post with a low strike from just outside the box!
GOAL! Barcelona 7-0 Celtic (Suarez)
It is seven for Barcelona as Suarez turns a low Messi cross into the back of the net.
Just the two minutes added at the end of the 90 here.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 7-0 Celtic
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 7-0 winners over Celtic, who have suffered their worst ever loss in European club competition. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to stick out the site for all of the news from tonight's matches!
