Lionel Messi’s 100th European goal ensured 10-man Barcelona had little trouble in defeating Olympiakos 3-1 at the Nou Camp.
Dimitris Nikolaou turned the ball into his own net in a first half dominated by the hosts, but one which was blemished by the dismissal of Gerard Pique for a second bookable offence.
Even though they had a man less, Barcelona continued to impose themselves on the game, as Messi first scored a free-kick, before assisting Lucas Digne for the third.
Nikolaou had a better memory to take from the game, as he headed home a late consolation for Olympiakos.
Read Also FA apologises to Eniola Aluko over racist jokes
Barcelona dominated from the opening whistle, as Olympiakos set out to limit the damage that would inevitably be inflicted on them at the Nou Camp.
The hosts had all the possession and numerous chances, but it took for Olympiakos’ Nikolaou to divert a well-struck Gerard Deulofeu cross into his own net after 18 minutes.
There seemed to be no chance of the visitors getting back into the game until Pique diverted a rebound from a Deulofeu shot into the back of the net with his right hand. As the defender had already been booked earlier for pulling back an opponent, the referee had no choice but to send him off.
Messi reached his milestone after he was the victim of a crude foul from the hapless Nikolaou 25 yards from goal. The Argentine then stepped up to curl the ball over the wall and into the net, despite the efforts of the goalkeeper.
Moments later Messi took the ball to the byline, before jabbing it across the box where Digne was waiting, allowing the Frenchman to smash in the third for Barcelona from the edge of the area.
After a game to forget on the big stage for youngster Nikolaou, he was given one moment to remember as he headed home a corner to earn a late consolation for his team.
