Lionel Messi scored twice and assisted another as Barcelona beat Chelsea 3-0 at the Camp Nou to progress to the quarter final of the Champions League.
It took Messi three minutes to open scoring for the Catalan side after he played a quick one-two with Dembele and then Luis Suarez before slotting the ball between the legs of Thibaut Courtois in goal.
Messi then turned provider after he dispossessed Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas in the midfield. The diminutive Argentine then darted past Chelsea defenders before passing to Dembele who doubled Barcelona’s lead.
Chelsea almost got back into the game in the first half when Marcos Alonso’s free kick hit the woodwork at the dot of half time.
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In the second half, Chelsea dominated in the early stages creating chance after chance but failed to convert any of their chnaces.
What next for Conte?
Chelsea’s elimination by the five-time winners is bound to add to the speculation about manager Antonio Conte’s future.
The Blues’ hopes of retaining the Premier League title ended weeks ago, and they may not even secure the top-four finish they need to return to the Champions League.
Conte’s side are fifth in the table, four points behind Liverpool, with their next league game at home to third-placed Tottenham on 1 April.
They head to Leicester on Sunday for an FA Cup quarter-final knowing defeat will leave them without a trophy for the second time in three seasons.
Conte, who has been in charge since the summer of 2016, has a contract until the summer of 2019 but has had to deny reports of a rift with the club’s owners.
Speaking last month, the 48-year-old Italian said it is his “intention, will and desire” to stay at Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea have lost four of their past six league games, including back-to-back defeats by Bournemouth and Watford.
