Messi torments Liverpool with 600th Barca goal in 3-0 win

Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final First Leg - FC Barcelona v Liverpool - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - May 1, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their third goal with Sergi Roberto, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets REUTERS/Susana Vera

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi put Barcelona on the verge of the Champions League final with a devastating double in a 3-0 home win over Liverpool in the first leg of their last-four clash on Wednesday, taking his goal tally for the Catalans to 600.

The Argentine's milestone goal was a moment of brilliance as he curled a dazzling free kick into the top corner from distance to add gloss to a scoreline that did not reflect the balance of play.