Head coach Luis Enrique went with little used Marc-André ter Stegen in goal and a back four composed of Jordi Alba, Jeremy Mathieu, Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves. In midfield it was Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, while up front Messi was joined by Neymar and Pedro.
Dead ball situations would prove costly for Barcelona on the day and it led to PSG grabbing the opener in the 11th minute via David Luiz who booted home a ball that was bouncing around the Barcelona area off a Lucas Moura free kick.
But just over 100 seconds later the Catalonians equalized through Messi in what was some textbook passing from Barcelona. The Argentine played a slick one-two combination with Iniesta and it was an easy sweep into the net for Messi who, with the goal, fittingly scored Barcelona's 500th goal in Champions League/European Cup history.
Yet it was another dead ball situation that would put PSG back out in front as Barcelona displayed some shambolic defending and goalkeeping in allowing Marco Veratti to easily head in a corner kick from Thiago Motta. Rakitic had tried to clear the ball with his head but flubbed his effort and Ter Stegen's attempted punch missed, giving the Italian his chance.
PSG continued their energetic momentum into the second half and stunned the four-time European champions with a third in the 53rd minute. Dutchman Gregory van der Wiel rifled a cross inside the Barcelona six-yard line and Blaise Matuidi met it at the far post and slotted a shot back across Ter Stegen.
Yet just like in the first half, Barcelona immediately answered the Parisians' goal with one of their own. Alves floated a cross from the right into the area and Messi's attempted header managed to clear out four PSG defenders. The ball then fell to Neymar who fired in a shot inside the far post to make it 3-2.
History was made in the 68th minute when Rakitic gave way to Xavi. The legendary midfield's entrance earned him the record for the most number of Champions League appearances by one player, a remarkable feat for a man who debuted in European competition just over 16 years ago.
Xavi and Barcelona searched for an equalizer in hopes of rescuing a point and looked to have had it in the 82nd minute after some superb ball movement but Alba was denied at the last moment by a Marquinhos block. Three minutes later the post came to the hosts' rescue as Munir's shot across goal bounced off the woodwork. Their final chance came in the 91st minute and it fell to Sandro but his left-footer went wide of the PSG goal, effectively sealing Barcelona’s fate.
Barcelona will look to pick up the pieces this weekend when they return to domestic duty versus Rayo
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