Barcelona sent Manchester City crashing out of the Champions League as no team from the Premier League advanced to the last eight for the second time in three seasons.
Argentina football team captain Lionel Messi set up Ivan Rakitic just after the half hour mark and the Croat lobbed Joe Hart for a first-half goal that saw Barca advancing to the quarterfinal stage in the Champions League with a 3-1 aggregate win over City, as the Spanish League club were already leading 2-1 from the first leg of the last-16 tie.
Barca dominated City throughout the game, with Neymar hitting the post early on and Rakitic scoring after half-time, which left City requiring two goals to take it to extra-time but Sergio Aguero ‘s penalty was saved after he was fouled, The BBC reported.
lthough 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 teammates, at bay.
City have now failed to reach the quarterfinals in each of their four Champions League campaigns, the report added. (ANI)