Champions League - Zabaleta sees red as Messi and Alves end City's hopes
Barcelona's Neymar (L) challenges Manchester City's James Milner during their Champions League last 16 second leg (Reuters)
Lionel Messi helped to finalise Manchester City's departure from the Champions League with the opening goal in a 2-1 win at the Camp Nou that carried Gerardo Martino's Barcelona into the last eight 4-1 on aggregate.
The Argentina forward showed his trademark alertness when he picked the pocket of Joleon Lescott to lift the ball over Joe Hart on 67 minutes and into the net from a hopeful Cesc Fabregas pass. Messi has now scored more Champions League goals for a single club than any other player with a haul of 67.
The visiting side ended the night with 10 men after Pablo Zabeleta was sent off for complaining about an awful decision by the French referee Stephane Lannoy with 10 minutes remaining.
Substitute Edin Dzeko - on for the injured Sergio Ageuro at half-time - was clearly fouled by Gerard Pique in the home area, but the match official decided otherwise to the disbelief of the City players and the visiting bench.
Lannoy reacted by showing the protesting Zabaleta a second yellow card, but there was still time for two more goals. Vincent Kompany bundled the ball home in the final minute, but Dani Alves handed Barcelona the win on the night when he scored from Andres Iniesta's pass a minute into stoppage time.
City had several chances to make life uncomfortable for the home side, but could not find a finish that much of their energy had hinted at for large swathes of the night. In the end, the 2-0 loss at home three weeks ago was too much of a hurdle to overcome.
TALKING POINT: Where now for Manchester City? Well, they head for Hull City on Saturday lunchtime. Gone are the hopes of a quadruple. Now City can only chase a Premier League and League Cup double. If they fail to wipe out the nine-point gap between themselves and Chelsea, this season will go down as a failure given the squad at Manuel Pellegrini's disposal.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Vincent Kompany (Manchester City): The difference in class between Kompany and Lescott is all too obvious. A magnificent performance from Kompany, who is one of the best if not the best defender in world football with his pace and ability to read the game.