Barcelona 1-0 Manchester City (Agg 3-1): Lionel Messi’s masterclass dumped Manchester City out of the Champions League as the Premier League failed to provide a team in the last eight for the second time in three seasons.
Already leading 2-1 from the first leg of the last-16 tie, Barca tore through City as Neymar hit the post early on.
Messi set up Ivan Rakitic, who lobbed Joe Hart for a first-half goal.
City then needed two goals to take it to extra-time but Sergio Aguero’s penalty was saved after he was fouled.
Although that golden opportunity in the 78th minute would have ensured a tense finale at the Nou Camp, it would also have put an unfair slant on the game, which Barca dominated for long periods.
The four-time champions registered 23 attempts toward the City goal but found keeper Hart in superb form as he almost took on a personal duel with Messi and kept the Argentine, and his team-mates, at bay.
City have now failed to reach the quarter-finals in each of their four Champions League campaigns.
As the best paid team in world sport, according to a recent study , it seems like a poor return on that investment.
With a fourth defeat in their last five games, there is also a genuine threat that their season could end up trophy-less. Manuel Pellegrini’s side sit six points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
