(Getty)
Final Score
Barcelona — 1-3–4
Manchester City — 0-0–0
10-man Barcelona dominated 10-man Manchester City in a lopsided second half, cruising to a 4-0 victory.
Barcelona pounced early, when Fernandinho slipped in the box and Messi finished from close range. It was the first of three goals on the evening for Messi, who made his return to the starting lineup for the first time since September.
The rout began in the second half, when City went down a man after Claudio Bravo was sent off. Bravo made a terrible pass right to Luis Suarez, and he was out of the box when his fingers tipped Suarez’s lobbed shot. That was the beginning of the end, as Messi and Iniesta tore apart a 10-man City defense, who were already struggling to corral Barcelona with a full side.
Barcelona are now firmly in control of their Champions League group, leaving City to fight off Celtic and Mönchengladbach for a qualifying spot.
Scroll down for info and video highlights throughout the match:
89′
GOAL!
Messi draws a penalty, but Caballero stuffs Neymar to keep the score 3-0. Two minutes later, Neymar gets the goal back to make it 4-0.
Ney Ney Ney Neymar ❤️💙
71′
RED CARD
Mathieu makes an unnecessary challenge on Sterling, and he gets a second yellow and an early exit. Both teams will play with ten for the final 20.
Jeremy Mathieu: Has been sent off for only the second time in his career and for the first time in 81 appearances for Barcelona
Mathieu with an absolutely IDIOTIC challenge, with zero chance of success. He’s booked for the 2nd time in 2 minutes, and sent off. 10v10…
Mathieu has played about 40 minutes off the bench and he’s gotten two yellows top get sent off. unreal.
69′
GOAL!
Messi.
Barcelona’s passing is too good for City, and they carve up the back line for an easy goal. 20 minutes left and this could get ugly.
Lionel Messi has scored seven Champions League hat-tricks, the most in the history of the competition.
50 – Lionel Messi is now the top scorer in home games in Champions League history. Update.
Lionel Messi: Has now scored as many goals in 179 minutes of #UCL action this season (6) as he managed in the entire 2015/16 competition
60′
GOAL!
MESSI AGAIN!
Another mistake gives Barcelona the advantage, and Messi calmly slots a low curving shot past Caballero. City haven’t given up with 10 men, but Barcelona’s home winning streak against English Clubs appears safe for now.
Sometimes you just get Messi’d and there’s nothing you can do.
53′
RED CARD
Claudio Bravo gets caught out against Luis Suarez, and an instinctive slap has sent him off early. It’s Willy Caballero in goal for City from here on out.
Awful from Bravo but note how Suarez chased down a lost cause. not all forwards would have bothered. #MCFC
Yeah you’re not gonna get away with that one… #UCLonFOX t.co/QLfYXWIOcp
39′
Barcelona have made their second substitute of the match due to injury, as Pique jogs off.
Jordi Alba was replaced by Lucas Digne within the first ten minutes, and now Barcelona’s key central defender is replaced by Mathieu.
10′: Jordi Alba forced off due to injury
39′: Gerard Pique forced off due to injury
Two first half defensive casualties for Barcelona.
17′
GOAL!
Manchester City can’t afford to make many mistakes at Camp Nou, and they make a massive one early to give Barcelona the lead.
A knifing Messi had City on their heels, but Fernandinho was in perfect position to make a clearance. Fernandinho fell on his face, leaving a huge gap in the defense for Messi to step up and finish.
Ah, replay suggesting Fernandinho pretty unfortunate to slip like that, but still.
10 – Lionel Messi has scored 10 goals in his last 8 Champions League games. Unstoppable.
5′
No major action so far, but lots of chatter about City’s purple and orange away kits.
DO NOT ADJUST YOUR TV. It really is that horrendous.
Why are Manchester City dressed in Double Decker wrappers? #BARMCI
That Man City shirt… #BARMCI
PREGAME
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Eastern and US users can watch the match on Fox Sports 1. Check out the starting lineups for both teams here.
No Aguero in the starting lineup for City.
No Aguero in City’s starting XI tonight:
Preview:
Pep Guardiola has raised the level of play since arriving at Manchester City, but his first major test as City manager comes Wednesday. City travel to Camp Nou to face Barcelona, the team that has sent City packing from Champions League two of the past three seasons.
Guardiola is a Barca legend, winning Champions League as a player and then raising 14 trophies as manager from 2008-12. Since taking over City they’ve been the class of the Premier League, but the team has only one point from it’s last two league matches.
Barcelona has similarly slipped this season, dropping two of their first eight La Liga fixtures. Things could be turning around for the club, as Lionel Messi prepares to make his first start since mid-September.
City and Barcelona are the big clubs in Champions League Group C, paired with Celtic and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Through two matches, Barcelona lead City by two points and both teams have a cushion over one-point Celtic and winless Gladbach.
Find out how to watch this match in Spanish at AhoraMismo.com:
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