Bayer Leverkusen gave all they had but were unable to pick up the win they required to progress in a 1-1 draw against Barcelona.
The hosts needed a victory to advance through Group E, but countless chances passed them by in a one-sided second half at the BayArena.
Javier Hernandez had earlier cancelled out Lionel Messi's opener in the opening quarter of the match, which proved to be the only goals of the evening.
Relive the 90 minutes of action with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Champions League meeting between Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona at the BayArena. The home side face an uphill battle if they are to advance through to the knockout stages of the competition, requiring a win here tonight and hoping for a helping hand elsewhere in Group E.
That's right - if beating reigning champions Barcelona was not a difficult enough prospect enough, the Bundesliga side must also hope that Roma slip-up in their meeting with BATE Borisov elsewhere. Both outcomes seem unlikely, in truth, but it certainly would not be the first time that the seemingly impossible has happened in this competition should Bayer edge through.
As far as Barcelona are concerned, they are safely in the hat for the knockout stages and already assured of top spot. The pressure is very much off Luis Enrique's men on their first return to Germany since seeing off Bayern Munich over two legs last season, but the Spaniard has himself admitted that possible lack of intensity could well work against his side this evening.
Should Leverkusen miss out on reaching the last-16, then their next best hope is to do enough to claim a Europa League berth. BATE are the other side in contention to finish third - as well as frontrunners Roma, of course - with Leverkusen currently one point ahead of the Group E minnows heading into this final fixture. A few different permutations, then, which should become a little clearer as the night goes on.
TEAM NEWS!
BAYER LEVERKUSEN XI: Leno, Tah, Hilbert, Wendell, Omer, Hakan, Kramer, Bellarabi, Kampl, Mehmedi, Hernandez
BARCELONA XI: Ter Stegen, Bartra, Alba, Adriano, Vermaelen, Rakitic, Samper, Kaptoum, Messi, Munir, Sandro
Barcelona will be without Neymar this evening - arguably the world's greatest player at this moment in time. The Brazilian picked up an injury to his groin on Tuesday and will therefore not be risked for a match that has little riding on it for his side. There is a start for Ballon d'Or frontrunner Lionel Messi, however, who is still not quite back at full fitness.
Messi has featured four times since recovering from his two-month injury layoff, so he needs all the minutes he can get at the moment in order to reach his incredible previous heights. As well as being without Neymar, the visitors will also have to make do without Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and the suspended Dani Alves.
Rafinha, Sergi Roberto, Douglas and Jeremy Mathieu are also out, meaning a first appearance in the Champions League for 19-year-old Wilfrid Kaptoum. The youngster has made one appearance for Barca this term, coming in the Copa del Rey victory over Villanovense last month. Could he be the latest talent on the never-ending La Masia conveyor belt?
The home side have made three changes from last time out, meanwhile, as Roberto Hilbert, Wendell and free-kick expert Hakan Calhanoglu are all reinstated into the first-team fold. Javier Hernandez retains his place up top, looking to build on his positive recent form to help pull off what would be a big upset this evening.
Bayer will be without captain Lars Bender for this evening's must-win game, though, which really is major blow to their hopes of progressing through. That means a place for Wendell in the backline, as Roger Schmidt is forced to change things around slightly following the defeat to Hertha Berlin last weekend.
Luis Enrique has made eight changes to his starting lineup from last time out, which is not too surprising considering Barcelona's place in the last-16 is already assured. Luis Suarez and Neymar miss out, but Lionel Messi does start in attack.
BENCH WATCH!
BAYER LEVERKUSEN SUBS: Kresic, Ramalho, Papadopoulos, Boenisch, Donati, Brandt, Kiessling
BARCELONA SUBS: Bravo, Masip, Mascherano, Busquets, Camara, Gumbau, Suarez
The job may already be done for Barcelona, but that does not mean they are happy to simply lose this game. Not by any means, which is underlined by the presence of Luis Suarez among the back-up options on the bench, alongside some more experienced defensive-minded options in Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano. Bayer's key attacking player is Stefan Kiessling, who has just three goals to his name this term.
So the pressure is certainly on Bayer more so than their opponents this evening, knowing that they need to collect maximum points against the competition favourites. Roger Schmidt's men find themselves in eighth place in the Bundesliga standings, having one just one of their last five league games, culminating in a defeat to Hertha Berlin a few days ago.
Bayer face a tough test on the weekend when taking on Borussia Monchengladbach, too, before seeing out the first half of the season with a meeting against Ingolstadt. They still remain in the German Cup, so there is certainly plenty to play for away from European competition for the German top-four chasers.
The German side have picked up only one win in Group E so far, explaining just why they are on the brink of exiting Europe's primary club tournament at the first hurdle. It was the defeat and draw to Roma which ultimately crippled their hopes, though, with the Italian outfit providing Bayer's main competition for a top-two finish.
Speaking in the build-up to this one, boss Roger Schmidt insisted that he would use tonight's contest as a way to prove that his side do indeed deserve to compete at this level. Just that one solitary win, coming on the opening matchday against BATE Borisov, certainly does not send out the greatest message. A win here will go a long way to changing that, however, albeit against a weakened Barca side.
DID YOU KNOW? Barcelona have yet to lose a game in this year's competition, dropping just two points from their opening five games (vs. Roma on the first matchday). The current holders last went through the group stages unbeaten in 2011-12, so they will be hoping to match that feat here this evening.
In stark contrast to the turn of the year, 2015 is ending on a real high for Barca boss Luis Enrique. At one point his job was in major jeopardy, but having steadied the ship and guided the club to a memorable treble, the Spaniard is on course to match last season's achievement come next May.
Champions League progression has been secured; top spot in La Liga has been achieved; a place in the latter stages of the Copa del Rey in the bag. Of course, anything other than the current situation would be considered something close to a crisis (just ask rivals Real Madrid), yet Enrique has navigated past every hurdle with aplomb so far to build on last season's success.
Barca did hit a shaky patch just over a month ago - by their standards, at least - as two defeats in three league games saw Real and Atletico pounce. That slip-up coincided with Lionel Messi's injury problems, which led many to suggest that FCB were possibly the ultimate one-man side and over-reliant on their star man.
That could not be further from the truth, though, because Luis Suarez and, in particular, Neymar have both stood up to the plate and guided Barcelona to six wins and a draw since that minor blip. The stalemate did come last time out against Valencia, so maybe the mass changes this evening will help to reinvigorate the side ahead of some tough challenges to come.
Three changes made by Bayer Leverkusen this evening, who will be without the services of injured skipper Lars Bender.
Barcelona have just one more fixture in La Liga ahead of their mini-break, as they head to the Far East for the Club World Cup later this month. That is the next big target of Luis Enrique's list of achievements, meaning a little rest for certain key men this evening will see them head into that tournament feeling a little fresher.
In terms of their Champions League results, it has been four wins from four since slipping up against Roma on the opening matchday. I say 'slipping-up', because when Barca are involved anything other than a victory seems like an off-day. The six goals put past the Italian side in their last outing shows exactly what can happen when the holders are on their game.
As touched on a little earlier, Luis Enrique openly admitted earlier this week that the lack of pressure on his side could work one of two ways. Barca could play in a care-free manner and go all out in search of another win, though it could also mean that Leverkusen have a chance to pounce knowing that they face a side who potentially have an eye elsewhere tonight.
Enrique also raised the point above Leverkusen's high pressing, which he believes could cause a few problems. Regardless of the result at the BayArena, Barca will take their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the 12th year in succession. Bayer have reached that stage in each of the last two years, but that target seems pretty far away at this point in time.
With a little over five minutes to go before kickoff, let's check out the pre-match thoughts from both camps in a little more depth.
Roger Schmidt: "Barcelona are in great shape. With Messi being fit again, they are even stronger - he is the best player in the world after all. There is no way to completely deny him. Together with Bayern Munich, they are probably the best side in the world. It is going to be tough. It doesn't matter [that Barcelona are already through] Barca always want to win and I expect them to field their best players."
Luis Enrique: "I have to take into account all the situations. There are players who I have rested, some have stayed [in Barcelona]. We can take some players from the youth side, and from there play with what we have. I take into account the games they have played, the minutes, whether they have been injured, or if they have made transatlantic voyages."
PREDICTION! The sides have now emerged down the tunnel, so it seems like a good time to offer a prediction ahead of kickoff. Barcelona have made eight changes in all, having already advanced through, while Bayer need a win and a slice of fortune elsewhere to do likewise. With all that in mind, I'm going to back a 1-1 draw at the BayArena tonight.
English official Mark Clattenburg will take charge of this game, incidentally. The players are now out on the pitch and the Champions League anthem has belted around this 30,000-plus-capacity stadium. Can Bayer Leverkusen pull off a big result against an experimental Barcelona side? Let's find out!
KICKOFF! Mark Clattenburg gets proceedings underway at the BayArena. A good atmosphere around the ground at the moment, with the hosts desperate to make a positive start.
That high Bayer pressing has already been on show, and from that approach some space opens up for Calhanoglu to get a shot away. The effort was a yard or so wide in the end, with Ter Stegen happy enough to watch the ball drift past his goal.
Vermaelen is starting at the back this evening, and it was his slip which nearly allowed Bayer to race in. The former Arsenal man just about recovered in the end to clear away, but this is a very bright start from the home side.
Barcelona get forward for the first time all evening really, with Messi getting himself on the ball in the attacking third. The move came to nothing, however, with Wendell using his strength to gain possession back for his side.
Bellarabi with some nice trickery down the left to gain a yard or so, only for his resulting cross into a central position for Hernandez to be turned away. Bayer really have dominated the opening nine minutes of this game.
Kampl does superb, once more down the left, to drive into the box. Bayer win a corner for their efforts, which the sky blue shirts of Barca clear away. Leverkusen really need to make the most of this strong spell.
SAVE! Samper concedes a free kick right on the edge of the box. Despite the difficult angle, Calhanoglu only had one thing in mind, with his curler being turned aside by Ter Stegen. Bayer's best moment of the game so far, that!
This match has been so incredibly one-sided in the opening 15 minutes, but Bayer have just the one shot on target to show for their strong start. Barcelona will surely only grow into the contest as it wares on.
SHOT! Messi has just shown the first glimmer of what he can do, taking the ball past a few men before being edged off the ball by three opposition players. The ball eventually falls to Sandro Ramirez, who has has his shot saved in a simple enough manner by Leno.
Just the one clean sheet in 10 for Bayer, incidentally, with that coming in a German Cup tie against a fourth-division side. The omens are certainly not great, but they have made a good start to this match by allowing their opponents very little time on the ball.
GOAL! BAYER LEVERKUSEN 0-1 BARCELONA (LIONEL MESSI)
Barcelona have been second best so far, but they have grown into the game more and more over the past few minutes and now have a breakthrough goal. It was a typical Barcelona strike in many ways, as Rakitic cut the opposition defence apart with a nice ball down the middle, which Messi latched on to before rounding Leno and tapping into an empty net.
Admir Mehmedi has a shot turned behind from inside the box. A good response from the hosts, who can feel a little hard done by to find themselves behind with a quarter of this match now played at the BayArena.
GOAL! BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1-1 BARCELONA (JAVIER HERNANDEZ)
Many have questioned Louis van Gaal's decision to show Javier Hernandez the Old Trafford exit, well this goal only goes to strengthen that argument. The hosts have been very good so far, and this goal is the least that they deserve for their efforts. A cross from the left wasn't dealt with, allowing Hernandez to strike first time into the top left-hand corner from eight yards out.
CLOSE! Moments after having a penalty shout ruled out at one end, Bayer almost find themselves behind once more as an attack ends with Messi being picked out inside the box. The Argentina international could only fire narrowly wide, though, with a teammate perhaps getting in his way.
Just to underline that earlier point made about LVG's decision to let Hernandez leave Old Trafford...
YELLOW CARD! Kampl is booked for his challenge in midfield. These opening 30 minutes have well and truly flown by in Germany - what a game this has been so far!
Barcelona have still yet to sustain any real pressure on their opponents, despite taking the lead 20 minutes in. That Messi goal looked as though it would spark them into life, but this experimental visiting side have been below par thus far.
Ter Stegen is half expecting Calhanoglu to cut the ball back to Hernandez in a central position, but the attacking midfielder instead strikes it goalwards. It didn't appear to be on target, yet the Barca keeper had to get down to smother the ball regardless.
Roger Schmidt really will be delighted by what he has seen so far, particularly the response from going a goal behind against the run of play. Leverkusen pushing high up the pitch still, which has really rattled an under-full-strength Barcelona side.
SHOT! Calhanoglu has been the best player on the field so far, testing Ter Stegen with another shot down the middle. It was a rather routine stop in the end, but Leverkusen just upping the tempo a little in search of a second.
It has certainly not been all Bayer so far, as Rakitic strikes the ball wide of goal, but if any side deserves to be ahead then it is the hosts. This result will not be enough to take them through, however, because they require a victory on home soil.
Vermaelen is caught in the face by Hernandez. The ex-Man United forward actually comes off second best, though, with a bloody nose enough to see him leave the pitch. Just a couple of minutes to go before the interval and this one still remains delicately-poised at 1-1.
Been just a tad scrappy over these past five minutes or so, with both sides maybe seeing things through until the break. Bayer now have themselves a free kick in a decent crossing position, though, so we may see one more chance before the half-time whistle sounds.
The cross into the box fails to beat the first man, but Barca's hopes of leading a quick counter comes to an abrupt halt. Explosive end to the half, as Bayer themselves counter only for Hernandez to lose the ball on the edge of the box.
HALF TIME: BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1-1 BARCELONA
A really enjoyable opening half of football comes to a conclusion at the BayArena, with the two sides all square at the break. Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Barcelona somewhat against the run of play 20 minutes in, before in-form Javier Hernandez cancelled that goal out with a well-taken strike of his own three minutes later.
Bayer made a very bright start to the game, but they only managed to work one shot on goal which Ter Stegen dealt with comfortable enough. Messi also blasted narrowly wide prior to scoring, yet it was the hosts who were asking the majority of the questions in an attacking sense in this Group E showdown.
Calhanoglu had the only other on-target attempt of the half, which Ter Stegen - playing on something close to his 'home ground' this evening - was again equal to. The hosts have enjoyed 51% of the ball, so they can justifiably boast to having more possession than their opponents thus far - just!
This is most definitely a weakened Barca side, but they do have Luis Suarez among their subs. Bayer still require a goal, meanwhile, so Stefan Kiessling may be introduced at some stage in this second half.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN SUBS: Kresic, Ramalho, Papadopoulos, Boenisch, Donati, Brandt, Kiessling
BARCELONA SUBS: Bravo, Masip, Mascherano, Busquets, Camara, Gumbau, Suarez
Roberto Hilbert vies for the ball with Ivan Rakitic during the first half of what has been an entertaining game of football up to this point. Let's hope for more of the same following the restart!
RESTART! Barcelona get the action back underway in Germany. Leverkusen very nearly in with just 18 seconds of the half on the clock, but Hernandez's flick was pounced on by Ter Stegen.
It's worth mentioning that Bayer have lost each of their last six meetings against Barca, claiming victory just twice in nine encounters overall. It took a late comeback for the Spanish giants to claim all three points in the reverse meeting earlier in this competition.
CHANCE! A decent opening for Bayer following some rather slack Barca defending. Hernandez passed up the opportunity to take on the shot from around 15 yards out, instead crossing the ball into an area for Calhanoglu to latch on to, only for the midfielder to bend his effort wide of goal.
Leverkusen really knocking on the door now, as Bellarabi makes decent inroads into the opposition box. The shot eventually comes in but it takes a deflection off Hernandez which takes it wide of the intended target.
SHOT! Bartra earns a yellow card for his challenge on Hernandez. The challenge was around 35 yards out, but that is merely a tap-in for someone of Calhanoglu's quality. The shot dipped right in front of Ter Stegen, who did really well to keep hold of the ball.
I mentioned that updates would provided from the other match in Group E this evening - don't worry, I have't forgotten. In truth very little has happened in the Italian capital, where Roma and BATE Borisov are still locked at 0-0. A goal right now will send Leverkusen through.
It's incredibly rare that you see Barcelona come off second best in a match, but there is no denying that Leverkusen are dominating proceedings at the moment. The La Masia products have had little chance to show their worth so far, with Leno a mere spectator for large parts.
SHOT! Calhanoglu takes down an awkward ball in the box with his chest, before firing a volley in at goal with his second touch despite slipping. Ter Stegen was again equal to it, simply getting his body behind the ball to collect the shot.
CHANCE! It's another glorious chance for the hosts to take the lead, which they once more squander. Hernandez played Bellarabi in with a fine through-ball, but the midfielder failed to convert past Ter Stegen when in a one-on-one position. Roles reversed there - Hernandez clean through and not Bellarabi - and it would be 2-1.
BARCELONA SUB! Luis Enrique unsurprisingly makes a change, bringing Gumbau for Kaptoum with a little over an hour played at the BayArena. Barcelona lucky to still be level in this Group E contest.
SAVE! Kampl's shot from the edge of the box is dipping in off the crossbar, if not for the intervention of the busy Ter Stegen who just raises his arm to help the ball over the bar. Really not sure how Bayer haven't doubled their tally for the evening.
Just the one goalless match around Europe now - the stalemate between Roma and BATE. That suits Leverkusen perfectly, knowing that a win here will see them through against the odds. Barca still struggling to get on the ball in their opponents' half.
I can't praise Leverkusen highly enough for their efforts so far, with their high pressing causing the visitors all sorts of problems. The bottom line remains the same, though - the German outfit will be heading out unless they take one of these many openings.
It will be interesting to see whether Luis Enrique brings Luis Suarez on at all. A 1-1 draw here is not the worst result for Barca, especially considering the side put out, but momentum is huge heading into the upcoming Club World Cup.
SUBS! Kiessling is unsurprisingly brought on for the final 17 minutes or so in place of Mehmedi - a goal desperately needed for the home side. Barca have made a change too, as Alba - holding him hamstring - is replaced by Camara.
SAVE! Bellarabi's shot takes a big deflection on its way through, but it didn't change the flight of the ball too much and the ball ended in the hands of Ter Stegen once more. Leverkusen will be devastated should they fail to get the job done in the final quarter of this match - Barca there for the taking.
How tempted will Luis Enrique be to call upon Luis Suarez for the closing stages of this game? Lionel Messi, incredibly, has barely had a touch of the ball in this second half.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN SUB! Leverkusen's chances have dried up over the past 15 minutes or so, which could well be down to certain players tiring. They have given their all so far, but one more final push is needed to get over the line. Calhanoglu has now been replaced by Brandt.
Ramirez bursts down the right before pulling the ball back into a central position. Leno was there to collect the ball down low, however, ending what was an extremely rare Barca attack. Kiessling then drags one wide up the other end when he really should have been hitting the target.
With seven minutes of playing time in Group E, three teams can still progress through. Roma, somehow, are holding onto second place despite a disappointing home draw as things stand. Bayer have struggled to create anything over the past 15 minutes or so, meanwhile.
Brandt has done well since replacing the tiring Calhanoglu. Kramer got supporters out of their seats when racing to the byline, but Rakitic did superbly when getting back to defend. For the first time in this half, the visitors now looking like the team more in control.
YELLOW CARD! Gumbau is the latest player to be shown a yellow for breaking up play. Five minutes for Bayer to find a second goal - will that be enough time?
YELLOW CARD! Rakitic loses his balance and goes right through Bellarabi in the process to earn his side's second caution in quick succession. Time fast running out for the hosts.
Samper somehow wins possession off Kramer, who just couldn't adjust his feet with the ball at his feet. Bayer have found their groove once more, but Barcelona are the side currently on the ball.
SAVE! Was that the one final chance that Bayer craved? Kiessling got a cross in from the right, which was latched on to by Hernandez - the one player Leverkusen would have wanted in that position. His front-post shot was superbly kept out by Ter Stegen, however, to deny the hosts once more.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN SUB! Papadopoulos on for the injured Kramer. Bellarabi is then thwarted for the umpteenth time by Ter Stegen. Bayer creating chance after chance in this second half, but they have not taken one of them.
One more minute of added time for Leverkusen to rescue themselves. They certainly deserve a winner, but it does not look likely to arrive in the remaining 60 seconds.
SHOT! Time must have gone in slow motion for Tah, who volleyed the ball unmarked 18 yards from goal just a few inches wide. That will surely be the hosts' last chance.
FULL TIME: BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1-1 BARCELONA
Mark Clattenburg blows the full-time whistle to bring this thrilling match to a close. Just the two goals across the 90 minutes, but that really was edge-of-the-seat football in the second half. No way through for Bayer following the interval, however, so they crash out.
Roma were held to a goalless draw by BATE elsewhere in Group E, meaning that they just about take second place ahead of Leverkusen, who must settle for Europa League football in the new year. An experimental Barcelona side were extremely underwhelming tonight, but they had already secured top spot.
That brings a conclusion to Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the BayArena, but be sure to stick around as we bring you post-match reaction, as well as player ratings and analysis following an entertaining game of football.
