Champions League

The Spaniards scored four times in the first half against the surprisingly weak Bavarians, who never even came close to the Barcelona goal.

Argentine striker Lionel Messi found the back of the net twice and Samuel Eto'o from Cameroon and French international Thierry Henry scored once each as the Primera Liga leaders took firm control of the tie ahead of next Tuesday's second leg.

Bayern had no answer to Barca's pace and slick passing.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola said the key to his side's emphatic win had been their ability to shut out Bayern playmaker Franck Ribery and striker Luca Toni and maintain posession of the ball so effectively.

"I was pleased with every aspect of our play and I get goose bumps when I see how hard my players are working," he said at a post-match news conference.

"But it's just the first leg of the quarterfinals and we need to keep our feet on the ground and try to score one or two goals in the return leg."

Bayern, who were missing central defenders Lucio and Daniel van Buyten, left back Philipp Lahm and striker Miroslav Klose, rarely threatened Victor Valdes in the Barca goal.

Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann conceded that the club would have to put their Champions League ambitions on ice for another year and focus their efforts on trying to defend their Bundesliga title.

"We clearly showed our limitations tonight in the face of a superb performance from Barca," he told a news conference.

In the other Champions League match on Wednesday, Chelsea beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield.