How are the mighty fallen! Perhaps there is no other way to describe the fate that befell the formerly dreaded Barcelona as the Spanish La Liga leaders were this night thoroughly humiliated at their Nou Camp fortress by visiting Bayern Munich in this year’s European Champions League semi-final second leg, losing by a scandalous 0-3.

The Spanish giants had lost the first leg 0-4 in Germany last week Tuesday but talks of a possible vengeance turned out to be a hollow boast. By the end of the compehensive thrashing, the impression that Barca are essentially a one-man team was reinforced as their talisman, Lionel Messi, the world’s best footballer, was consigned to the bench.

Playing without the inspirational Messi, Barca were like sheep without a shepherd. They managed to end the first half barren but the rain started beating them mercilessly early on the restart.

For Bayern, the goal feast started in the 49^th minute when a defender on the left intercepted a long ball in their half of the pitch and telegraphed Arjen Robben on the right. The veteran Dutch striker switched the ball from his right to his deadly left and thundered home the opener in defiance of the cluster of defenders.

Thereafter, Frank Ribery, running riot on the left flank, ensured the total humiliation of the former champions. First, his shot was deflected home for an own goal by Pique in the 72^nd minute, and four minutes later, Thomas Muller rose above the Barca defence to nod home his cross.

Barcelona thus suffered a fate far worse than their Spanish bitter rivals Real Madrid, who were eliminated yesterday 3-4 after beating visiting Borrusia Dortmund of Germany – having lost the first leg 1-4.

Thus, it will be an all-German affair in the grande final at Wembley Stadium, England, on May 25.

•Photo, courtesy Telegraph, shows Bayern Munich's Phillip Lahm zooming past Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez.

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