The second leg of the last-16 Champions League clash between Barcelona and Manchester City took place at the Camp Nou this evening.
The Spanish outfit entered the tie as the firm favourites to advance into the quarter-finals following a 2-0 victory when the pair met in the first leg last month.
Both sides had opportunities in an open first period, but the pair entered the interval on level terms.
Chances continued to arrive in the second half and it was Lionel Messi that sent Barcelona ahead on the night after 67 minutes to leave the Catalan side with a 3-0 aggregate lead.
It got worse for City in the latter stages when Pablo Zabaleta was sent from the field for dissent, but Vincent Kompany did level on the night for the visitors in the 89th minute.
That was not the end of the scoring, however, with Dani Alves netting late on for the hosts.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Champions League last-16 coverage continues this evening and it is a real cracker as Barcelona welcome Manchester City for the second leg. The Spanish outfit enter the match as the firm favourites to advance following a 2-0 win in the first leg in Manchester last month, but City will be confident of springing a surprise in the Camp Nou. Right, the team news is already in.
TEAMS:
BARCA: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba: Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas; Iniesta, Messi, Neymar
CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; Milner, Silva, Nasri; Aguero
So there we have it. No Alexis Sanchez or Pedro in the Barcelona XI this evening, with head coach Gerardo Martino selecting Andres Iniesta in a forward position. Neymar also starts, while the back five is expected, with Sergio Busquets holding. City, meanwhile, call James Milner into their XI. Joleon Lescott also starts in place of the suspended Martin Demichelis, but Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko are both on the bench.
The first leg in Manchester last month was the first time that the two sides had met in a competitive fixture, and it went firmly the way of Barcelona. A Lionel Messi penalty – an incident that also saw City defender Martin Demichelis sent from the field - handed the Spanish side a 1-0 lead, before Brazilian right-back Dani Alves netted late on to secure a two-goal advantage for Martino's side.
Barcelona have reached at least the final four of the Champions League in their last six attempts, winning the trophy in both 2009 and 2011. The last time they failed to reach the quarter-finals was in the 2006/07 campaign, but much has changed since then. In truth, City need a minor miracle to turn this match around due to Barca's incredible home form in knockout competition.
Of their last 18 knockout matches at the Camp Nou in the Champions League, Barcelona have lost just once. However, that reverse came last season when they were beaten 3-0 by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. That said, Barca have lost just two of their 30 home games in the knockout stages by at least two goals, which is the task facing City this evening.
Liverpool are the only English club to have won at the Camp Nou in the Champions League. That occurred courtesy of a 2-1 victory in February 2007, but Barcelona have won 16 of their 17 matches at home to teams from the Premier League. One thing is for certain, the omens are not exactly with the visitors this evening.
Barcelona have also progressed 32 times out of the 34 matches in which they won the away first leg in UEFA competition. They have let a two-goal lead slip just once in the European Cup - that occurred in the 1984/85 European Cup Winners' Cup first round, when they were beaten 4-1 at home by French outfit FC Metz.
Barcelona topped Group H ahead of AC Milan having won four of their six matches, scoring 16 times in the process and losing five. It was far from convincing, but the La Liga champions were the most prolific home side in the group stages, scoring 13 times in their three wins. In total, they have lost just one of their last 25 European matches at the Camp Nou.
The Spanish outfit have been frustrated by English opposition in recent seasons, however, with Chelsea holding them to a 2-2 draw on their way to the 2012 final, which the Blues won against Bayern Munich on that famous night in Germany. However, the fact that City need to win by at least two clear goals this evening makes their task extremely different from the one that Chelsea faced.
Lionel Messi (66 goals) is only five goals away from equalling former Real Madrid forward Raul's Champions League goal-scoring record, which stands at 71 goals. This season, the Argentine has netted seven times in four Champions League matches. That statistic becomes even more incredible due to the fact that he has had just nine attempts on target.
The odds are stacked in Barcelona's favour this evening, but they enter the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Real Valladolid in La Liga. That loss was their second in three league games and has left them four points behind league leaders Real Madrid, who they face in the final of the Copa del Rey last month.
City, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Championship side Wigan Athletic in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. As it stands, Manuel Pellegrini's side sit fourth in the Premier League table, but they have three games in hand over leaders Chelsea, who sit nine points clear of the Citizens.
City are into the last-16 of the Champions League for the first time this season, but head coach Pellegrini has experience at this level having guided Villarreal to this stage in both 2006 and 2009, before taking Malaga into the quarter-finals last season. However, City's record in Spain is fairly disappointing with one win, one draw and three defeats from five matches.
After two failed attempts, City advanced into the knockout stages of the competition this season by finishing second in Group D behind holders Bayern Munich, who advanced into the quarter-finals yesterday by drawing 1-1 with Arsenal. The Premier League outfit won five of their six group matches, losing just once in the process. They ended their group campaign with a 3-2 win in Germany against Bayern.
City have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Champions League matches, however, with their last shutout arriving against Viktoria Plzen in September. City scoring twice this evening is certainly not out of the question, but it is their shakiness in defensive areas which makes their task even harder at the Camp Nou.
In his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, City boss Pellegrini told reporters: "It's difficult - of course it's difficult. However, I have no doubt that we are going to go to Barcelona thinking that we can do it and thinking we can beat them in Camp Nou and we try to have our revenge there. [Barcelona] is a very good team with great players [but] I won with Villarreal in Camp Nou, I draw also with Malaga. If we can score a goal early then Barcelona may be a little bit more nervous."
The atmosphere is building for the City supporters inside this wonderful stadium...
PREDICTION: City certainly have the players that could cause Barcelona problems this evening, but I am not convinced that they will see enough of the ball. They don't just have to win, but win by two clear goals. My score prediction for the night is 3-1, which would see Barca advance 5-1 on aggregate.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us ahead of the first period inside this wonderful stadium. The famous Champions League tune bellows around the ground as the atmosphere continues to build. Following the completion of the pre-match handshakes and exchanging of flags, we will be ready to get the action underway.
You just get the feeling that City need to score first this evening. An early Barcelona goal would leave City needing to score at least three times in order to advance, in addition to keeping the Catalan side out down the other end. Can City turn it around? The away side get the action underway two minutes later than expected.
City immediately look long towards Toure from right-back, but Alba is on hand to clear the danger. Barcelona gain control of the ball moments later, but a punt from Busquets goes through towards Hart. The early exchanges are vital as both sides attempt to settle on this wonderful pitch in the Camp Nou.
Sight of goal for City as Silva finds some space outside the box, but the Spaniard decides against shooting and instead finds Toure, who lifts a cross towards Kolarov, but Alba is across to clear the danger. It has been a bright start from the visitors, with Barcelona not seeing much of the ball in the opening four minutes.
Lescott is extremely lucky to escape a booking as the City centre-back tugs Messi just inside the Barcelona half, but the referee takes no further action. Aguero threatens for City with a driving run, but Messi is back to deny his fellow Argentine. Just a few signs that Barcelona are starting to settle in possession.
First real attack from the home side as Messi finds Neymar, who drives a low cross into the box, but Zabaleta just manages to clear at the vital moment. It falls to Xavi, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Barcelona break moments later with Iniesta, but the Spaniard is denied on the edge of the box by Kompany.
Barcelona want a penalty as Messi goes down inside the box under pressure from Lescott, but the referee is not interested. Pressure from the home side forces a booking as Fernandinho brings Busquets to the ground. Dominant spell of the match for the home side, but still no real opportunities inside 10 minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful work from Messi as the Argentine drives into the City box before facing up to Hart, but the City goalkeeper just does enough to make the save. The ball stays in ball, but Kompany is on hand to clear at the vital moment. One-way traffic in the last few minutes.
Another half-chance for the home side as Iniesta finds some space outside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. City just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Barcelona continue to work the ball into wide positions. However, it remains goalless on the night. The opening 14 minutes have just flown past.
Better from City in the last couple of moments with Silva starting to see more of the ball in forward areas, but the Spaniard has been unable to find Aguero thus far. Nasri rolls a low pass to Silva moments later before Kolarov finds Milner, but his effort is just wide of the post. Positive work from the visitors.
Just a reminder that Barcelona lead 2-0 on aggregate. Only a 2-0 City win would take this into extra-time and possibly beyond. One goal for Barcelona and extra-time is no longer possible. Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net through Neymar, but Alba is ruled offside. Replays, however, have shown that the left-back was in an onside position. Poor from the officials there.
Another sight of goal for the home side, but Neymar is ruled offside when meeting a cross from Alves. This time, it is a correct decision. The pressure is building on City as Barcelona continue to enjoy more and more of the ball. However, it remains level on the night with 21 minutes on the clock inside a noisy Camp Nou.
So, 23 minutes in and Barcelona have had a clear penalty shout turned down and a legitimate goal ruled offside. City are living dangerously that is for certain as the home side continue to dominate the ball. Slightly scrappy in the last couple of moments, meanwhile, due to a number of late challenges from City.
Kolarov also picks up a booking for City for stepping across Neymar. That would rule the left-back out of the quarter-finals if City advance. The away side drive forward with Toure moments later, but the Ivorian cannot find the run of Nasri. The late challenges continue on the right as Iniesta dives into one with Zabaleta.
Another brilliant moment from Messi as the Argentine drives past Kompany before dancing into the City box, but Toure just does enough to crowd the attacker. Down the other end, Pique fells Kolarov, handing City a free kick. The resulting set piece is taken by Silva, but the referee blows for a foul on Mascherano.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, with both sides enjoying possession of the ball. Neither defence is particularly uncomfortable at the moment, with the score still goalless on the night. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining on what is a warm evening in Barcelona.
Zabaleta will also miss the quarter-finals for City - should the Premier League side advance - after a late, high challenge on Iniesta. Neymar has the chance to meet a through pass from Messi moments later, but Lescott is across to make the clearance. The match is starting to open up as the first period gathers pace.
City attempt to break with Toure moments later, but Pique comes across to foul the Ivorian. City have a period of possession in the Barcelona with Silva in the next attack, but once more it comes to nothing. Neither side has really taken control of the match in the last 10 minutes or so - with each struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third.
Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment with the home supporters in fine voice. Silva has a half-chance for the away side moments later after smart work from Toure, but his effort curls high and wide of the crossbar. Still goalless on the night with little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCES! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Neymar drives past Kolarov before attempting to place one into the bottom corner, but it just hits the side netting. Another let-off for the visitors. Moments later, Xavi is denied by Hart from close range.
CHANCE! City's best chance of the match falls to Nasri following a wonderful flick from Silva, but his effort is straight into the body of Valdes. Incredible opportunity for the Premier League side.
OFF THE LINE! Neymar comes close to sending Barcelona ahead after facing up to Hart before curling one towards the top corner, but Fernandinho is on hand to clear off the line. Chances galore in the latter stages of the half as Fabregas has a low cross, which was heading for Pique, cleared by Kolarov.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-0 City
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0 on the night, with Barcelona still ahead 2-0 on aggregate. Both have had opportunities in an open 45 minutes, but City have had to ride their luck - with Barcelona having a legitimate goal disallowed and a strong penalty shout turned down. As it stands, the Premier League side are still in with a chance.
STATISTICS: Barcelona have just shaded the possession with 55%, while they have had six attempts, three of which have been on target. City, meanwhile, who have picked up three bookings, have hit the target just once. That opportunity arrived late in the half when Nasri fired straight at Valdes.
BENCH WATCH: Safe to say that Barca have some firepower on their bench this evening in the shape of Pedro and Sanchez. Meanwhile, City have the likes of Dzeko, Negredo and Navas in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players. Will either manager make an alteration at the interval?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that Barcelona still lead 2-0 from the first leg. City are in need of goals in the second 45 minutes. Right, Barcelona get the action underway. Is it to be another quarter-final appearance for the Spanish champions?
One change for the away side at the interval with Dzeko replacing Aguero, which is not much of a surprise. Barcelona, however, go with the same XI. It is now or never for City in terms of this season's European Cup. Sky Sports News have just confirmed that Aguero suffered a hamstring injury in the first period.
Half-chance for City in the early stages of the second half as Dzeko collects a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is straight into the body of Valdes. Barcelona gain a period of possession moments later with Messi, but Kompany is across to make the challenge. End-to-end football with 50 minutes on the clock.
POST! Wonderful work from Messi as the Argentine dances past Lescott before curling one towards the bottom corner, but his effort smashes off the post. Another let-off for the English outfit.
SAVE! Oh my word what a save. City come close to taking the lead as Dzeko meets a cross from Milner, but somehow Valdes rises to push the striker's effort over the crossbar. Goalkeeping of the very highest order from the Spanish international. End-to-end football at the Camp Nou.
Another half-chance for the home side as Neymar drives a low cross towards Fabregas, but Hart is out to make the save. The Spanish international left a bit on the English goalkeeper, with the referee issuing a yellow card. This match has really opened up with opportunities at both ends.
CHANCE! Another chance for City as Zabaleta collects a loose cross inside the box, but he slices his effort high of the crossbar. What an incredible evening of football in the Camp Nou.
City continue to press in the final third with Barcelona looking nervous in defensive areas. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the away side need to score twice. However, one goal would change the entire atmosphere inside the stadium. Incredibly, Barcelona just cannot get the ball on their own patch.
CLOSE! Another opportunity for the home side as Messi finds some space on the edge of the box before driving one towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. One goal for Barcelona and surely City's challenge would be over.
Wonderful challenge from Pique as the Barcelona defender denies Fernandinho inside the box. The pressure continues from the away side, with Barca struggling to gain possession of the ball. We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about alterations. Little over 25 minutes remaining.
Opportunity for Barcelona to threaten from a free kick as Kompany fells Neymar on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Xavi towards Pique, but Lescott is on hand to make the clearance. Still no movement on the Barcelona bench, which is a surprise at this stage of proceedings.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 City (Messi)
Barcelona take the lead on the night as Messi latches onto a loose ball inside the City box before lifting his effort past Hart. Game over?! City now need to score three times in the latter stages. Terrible moment from Lescott, who could not sort out his feet inside his own box.
Surely this match is beyond City at this stage of proceedings. Barcelona suddenly have a confidence about them in the final third with Xavi and Iniesta seeing plenty of the ball. Still no movement on either bench, with Dzeko for Aguero at the interval the only change that has been made with 70 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Messi finds some space on the edge of the box before playing in Xavi, but his low effort is saved by Hart. City make their second change moments later as Negredo replaces Silva. Do the Premier League side now have one eye on their match with Hull at the weekend?
Kompany picks up a yellow card as the centre-back fells Neymar. The defender appeared to be the last man, but no red card is forthcoming. The referee has had a mixed night this evening. Barcelona continue to keep the ball with little over 15 minutes of football remaining. Just a reminder that City need three goals.
City make their third and final change as Nasri is replaced by Navas. Moments later, Barcelona have another free kick as Lescott fells Messi on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Xavi, but his effort is straight into the wall. Not too much from City in the last five minutes or so.
Messi continues to force the issue for the home side as he dances past three challenges on the edge of the box, but Lescott is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Toure attempts to break for City down the other end, but Alba is across to make the challenge. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Big penalty shout for City as Dzeko goes down under pressure from Pique, but the referee is not interested. Incredible decision. It was a stonewall penalty!
RED CARD! Zabaleta (City)
City are down to 10 men as Zabaleta is sent from the field for dissent. The task gets even harder for the away side. It has not been the referee's night this evening that is for certain.
Barcelona make their first change of the match as Sanchez replaces Neymar, who has impressed in patches without really showing his best form. City continue to press forward, but this match is finished as a contest. The Spanish champions are heading into the final eight of the Champions League once more.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Alves finds some space inside the box before playing in Iniesta, but his low effort is blocked by Lescott. In truth, the home side could have been out of sight in the second period. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
End-to-end football in the last few moments with both sides prepared to commit numbers in the final third. It is quite incredible that we have had just the one goal this evening with the number of chances that have arrived. That said, I would not rule out another in the latter stages.
CHANCE! Fabregas comes close to scoring Barcelona's second with a low drive, but Hart is across to make a smart save. Moments later, Barca make their second change with Roberto replacing Fabregas.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 City (Kompany)
City level for the away side in the latter stages as Kompany taps home from close range following a corner. It looked offside, but Roberto was playing the Belgian centre-back onside.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 City (Alves)
Barcelona score their second on the night as Alves converts from inside the box following wonderful work from Iniesta, who had isolated Hart inside the box.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-1 City
So there we have it. Barcelona advance into the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win on the night and an aggregate victory of 3-1. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around for all of the reaction from the Camp Nou. Good evening!
