Bayern Munich gave themselves a superb advantage heading into the second-leg of the Champions League semi-finals after a brilliant result at home against Spanish giants Barcelona.
Goals from Gomez and Arjen Robben, along with a brace from Thomas Muller, gave the Bavarians a comfortable 4-0 victory.
The result is the second good news of the day for the fans of the German club, as rivals Borussia Dortmund announced this morning that young playmaker Mario Gotze was due to join Bayern in the Summer.
Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola takes the helms at the Allianz next season and he's inheritating an extremely strong side, as this match showed that Barcelona's time at the top of European football could be in danger.
Bayern got the games first chance of the match after just 3 minutes. Robben played a slick one-two with Javi Martinez before unleashing a shot that forced Valdes to make a save.
The two sides then exchanged possession of the ball before Bayern struck first blood.
Ribery's first attempt to get the ball into the box from the corner was poor but Robben got the chance to rectify his teammates error and delivered a ball of his own, which was met by the head of Dante. Thomas Muller arrived at pace to meet the ball and head the ball home.
Barca almost got back into the match straight away. Pedro's superb ball into the box look destined to find Messi but Dante's slight touch diverted the ball away.
At half-time the end result was anyones guess, with Barcelona still pressing and Bayern looking dangerous.
The second-half started in perfect fashion for the home side as Mario Gomez doubled Bayern's advantage.
Robben's deep corner was headed back across goal by Muller, with Gomez on hand to finish the job from point blank range. However, Barca will feel hard done by as there was a hint of offside.
Barcelona showed their usual prowess with control over the ball but the Bayern defence was resilient and standing firm.
15 minutes from time Bayern hit the visitors on the break. Thomas Muller created space for Robben and the Dutch winger beat Valdes for Bayern's third. Again, controversy surrounded the goal as Muller's blatant foul on Jordi Alba allowed Robben the space he required to strike.
As Barcelona contemplated what might have been, Bartra was guilty of an awful miss which would have given his side a crucial away goal. He beat the Bayern defence but skewed his shot, hitting it horribly off target.
Valdes then saved Muller's effort in spectacular fashion but it wasn't long until the young German grabbed his second of the night.
Ribery cut Barca open with a through ball to Alaba, with his low cross being met by Thomas Muller and finding the back of the net.
The Spanish giants were in shellshock and will feel aggrieved when they see the highlights. However, credit is due to Bayern Munich who were superb on the night and look on course to reach their second successive final.
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