Barcelona completed a 3-1 aggregate victory over Manchester City at Camp Nou on Wednesday evening, while Juventus secured a 3-0 away win over Borussia Dortmund thanks to a Carlos Tevez brace.
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For City, it was always expected to be a tough away trip after a first-leg defeat in Spain and almost got off to the worst possible start when Neymar hit the post after Vincent Kompany was dispossessed at the edge of the penalty area.
However, City’s charmed life was not to last long as Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring after half an hour when he lobbed Joe Hart following a terrific crossed through-ball from Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi.
Messi, @FCBarcelona: “Hart was phenomenal. We had a lot of chances, 1-on-1. You have to say well done to him.” #UCL pic.twitter.com/Eau8mmNLmh
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 18, 2015
It was Messi who was the greatest thorn in City’s side throughout, toying with the English side’s defence at times as Barcelona threatened to increase their lead. Uruguay striker Luis Suarez then struck the post shortly before half-time.
Barcelona’s dominance continued into the second half, with many City players walking a tightrope with the referee having received four yellow cards prior to the interval.
Yet, it was the English side who had the best scoring opportunity of the second half when Sergio Aguero was brought down by compatriot Javier Mascherano inside the penalty area.
Aguero stepped up to take the resulting spotkick but saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
For the second consecutive season, Barcelona proved too strong for Manuel Pellegrini and his side.
Juventus, meanwhile, secured a comfortable 5-1 aggregate success over Borussia Dortmund in Germany with a 3-0 victory on the night.
Carlos Tevez was the star of the show for the Bianconeri, scoring twice including an outstanding opening effort just three minutes into the tie.
Spanish youngster Alvaro Morata scored his side’s second on the night to add a degree of comfort to the overall scoreline before Tevez struck once more to confirm Juve’s passage into the quarterfinal of the competition.
“Carlos Tevez’s Beautiful Goal Today Vs Dortmund! #feelthefusion https://t.co/AvVDsnPe3T“
— El Trino (@SoyElTrino) March 19, 2015
