BARCELONA celebrated qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League with another stunning display Tuesday, Lionel Messi scoring his first two goals after a two-month injury layoff and Luis Suarez netting a brace in a 6-1 rout of Roma.

    Bayern also advanced, crushing Olympiakos 4-0 at the Allianz Arena.

    Barcelona advanced to the Champions League knockout rounds for a 12th consecutive season.

    Suarez got Barcelona rolling at Camp Nou in the 15th minute. Three minutes later Messi scored his first goal in his second appearance since returning from a left-knee injury.

    With Roma in disarray, Messi netted the hosts’ fifth after Suarez and Gerard Pique scored. Adriano capped the demolition before Edin Dzeko got Roma’s consolation.

    Messi showed no rust from his time on the sideline recovering from a ligament he tore Sept. 26. On Saturday, he played a little more than half an hour as a second-half substitute in Barcelona’s memorable 4-0 win at Real Madrid, looking threatening as ever despite not scoring.

    Frighteningly enough for opponents, Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer said despite his strong return, he has yet to recover his peak form.

    “It’s tough to get back up to full speed,” said Messi. “I prepared well and trained but it’s not the same as going out on the pitch and lasting 90 minutes. I will take it with calm and get my pace back.”

    Barcelona had already qualified for the next phase before kickoff after Bayer Leverkusen was held 1-1 at BATE Borisov, but the victory moved the defending champions onto 13 points and the top spot in Group E with a game to spare.

    Roma was left with five points along with Leverkusen, while BATE has four.

    “Right now Barca is unstoppable, it’s not a coincidence that it beat Madrid 4-0,” said Roma coach Rudi Garcia.

    Messi’s goals were his first in the Champions League this campaign and 78th and 79th in competition history, second only to Crisitano Ronaldo’s record of 83.

    Suarez, meanwhile, continued his scoring streak with his ninth and 10th goals in his last six matches taking him up to 17 for the season.

    Both Suarez and striker partner Neymar, who missed a late penalty, also excelled at playing a part in their team’s goals with their passing.

    (SD-Agencies)