Manchester City face an improbable task to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals after Barcelona capitalised on Martin Demichelis's 53rd minute red card to dominate at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who was fouled by his countryman Demichelis to concede the penalty, stepped up to coolly send Joe Hart the wrong way to open the scoring.
Dani Alves then put the game, and possibly the tie, out of City's sight with a strike two minutes from time after a neat one-two with his fellow Brazilian Neymar, who had come on as a substitute.
The teams meet again at the Nou Camp in three weeks time.
So who were the best (and worst) performers? Check out our ratings below...
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratingsShow all 22 1 /22Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Joe Hart 6/10 The hosts’ only English starter made a good save from Xavi’s long-distance effort. Little chance with penalty but let Alves goal through his legs.
Reuters
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Pablo Zabaleta 6/10 Always keen to get forward in support of Navas and quick to get back when defending. Ball through to Silva almost set up equaliser.
EPA
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Martin Demichelis 5/10 Much criticised centre-back stood up well to visitors in first half but distribution was sloppy. Rightly dismissed for hacking down Lionel Messi.
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Vincent Kompany 7/10 Shouldered Messi off the ball to concede free-kick but the captain was unlucky to finish on the losing side. Little support after Demichelis dismissal.
AP
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Gaël Clichy 5/10 Hacked down by Dani Alves. Released by Silva but unable to control cross, which was easily held by Valdes. Tired towards the end amid Barça’s carousel.
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Jesus Navas 6/10 Unable to use pace as much as City hoped. Found Negredo for chance the striker headed wide but gave ball away for move that resulted in Barça penalty.
AP
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Fernandinho 7/10 Returned after three weeks out and industrious in possession but unable to have as much a mark on proceedings as in the Premier League this season.
EPA
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Yaya Touré 6/10 Penalised for challenge on Valdes and kept busy containing Barça, when home side could have done with him further up pitch. Quiet in second half
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Aleksandar Kolarov 6/10 Afforded a midfield berth and lucky to escape with booking after two-footed lunge on Busquets. Helped out in defence before being sacrificed.
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings David Silva 7/10 Played in more advanced role than usual. Slid in Negredo for City’s best chance before break and forced Valdes into a fine save as City chased parity.
EPA
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Alvaro Negredo 7/10 Sent header wide after half an hour and fired across goal from byline but struggled up front without support of injured strike partner Sergio Aguero.
AP
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Victor Valdes 6/10 Showed bravery to claim ball on goal-line amid penalty box scrum before the interval. Unsure on crosses at times but protected well by his back line.
AFP
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Dani Alves 7/10 Booked for challenge on Clichy in opening half. Attacking instincts took him forward and dragged shot marginally wide before superb second goal.
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Gerard Pique 7/10 Used height to advantage and allowed City little. Drew a foul from Negredo that earned the striker a booking and blocked effort by substitute Nasri.
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Javier Mascherano 7/10 Challenge on Negredo had home fans yelling for a penalty. The former Liverpool midfielder has grown into defensive role and did well.
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Jordi Alba 6/10 Spain international was eager to get forward and his pace troubled City. Played part at the back too as City struggled for clear-cut chances.
AP
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Sergio Busquets 7/10 Held ground well as he came out on top in central midfield tussle with Touré and provided the platform for Barcelona to launch attacks.
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Alexis Sanchez 6/10 Chilean ran show at Wembley on his last visit to these shores and, while unable to get on the scoresheet, made contribution before being taken off.
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Andres Iniesta 8/10 As ever quickly emerged as the focal point of all the Spanish side’s attacks. Slid ball through to Messi for penalty and kept possession with ease.
AP
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Cesc Fabregas 6/10 Outmuscled by Zabaleta after being put through by Messi. Unlucky to see effort ruled out for offside as Barça upped the tempo with their extra man.
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Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Xavi 7/10 Forced Hart to work with shot from outside area and sidefooted another effort over the bar. Calmness personified in possession.
AP
Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 player ratings Lionel Messi 7/10 Rediscovering his best form after injury lay-off, taking his tally to six in four games from the spot after drawing a foul from the hapless Demichelis.
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