German champions Bayern Munich hammered Spanish giants Barcelona 4-0 at the Allianz Arena last night in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique appeared to handle a Philip Lahm shot in the penalty area on 15 minutes.

Referee Victor Kassai turned down Bayern’s appeals, but it was only a reprieve for Barca, as the Bavarians did take the lead on 25 minutes.

Centre-back Dante headed Arjen Robben’s cross back across goal and Thomas Muller nodded past victor Valdes at the far post.

The home side doubled their lead on 49 minutes. Thomas Muller headed Robben’s corner back towards goal and Mario Gomez finished from close-range. There was a slight hint of offside about the goal, but it was no less than Bayern deserved.

Robben and Franck Ribery missed chances for Bayern, before the visitors enjoyed a short period of dominance. In this period all Barca had to offer was one shot that was saved by Manuel Neuer, who otherwise had a quiet night in the Bayern goal.

The home side extended their lead on 73 minutes in controversial style. Arjen Robben cut-in from the wing and fired past Victor Valdes. It looked all too easy for Robben, but replays showed that Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba was body-checked by Muller, which allowed the Dutchman a clear path to goal.

Young Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra then fired his sides’ best chance of the night over the bar. Things got even worse for the Catalans in the 82^nd minute, as Bayern scored their fourth, Muller putting David Alaba’s cross into the net from close-range for his second of the night.

The victory means that Bayern now have a major advantage for the second leg in the Nou Camp next week. Barcelona will have to come up with a big performance to stay in the competition.

Can Barcelona comeback from their first leg defeat to make the final?