(REUTERS) - Lionel Messi broke the deadlock and Luis Suarez scored twice in the second half to give Barcelona a typically emphatic 3-0 win over River Plate in the Club World Cup final on Sunday.

South American champions River did enough to worry the European champions for the first half hour but were never in the contest after falling behind.

Messi, playing against an Argentinian team for only the second time in his career, showed superb control to turn in Neymar's header after 36 minutes.

Uruguay forward Suarez burst clear of the River defence four minutes after half-time and headed another from a pinpoint Neymar cross to take his tally in the tournament to five goals.