City produced a superb display to defeat Barcelona and edge closer to qualification for the last 16.
City started brightly, pressing high and taking the game to Barcelona. They have been accused of looking overawed in games against Catalan giants in the past – but this was different.
City were doing all the early running but Barca, as ever, were a threat on the break. Neymar was released just inside the City half and after running into a huge area of space towards goal he fed the onrushing Lionel Messi, who skipped past a challenge and slotted past Willy Caballero to give the away side the advantage after 21 minutes.
They took control of the game for the next 15 minutes - but momentum at this level can change quickly. City were level after before half time – Ilkay Gundogan scoring from Sterling’s ball across the area.
City started the second half in the ascendancy and were soon ahead. Kevin De Bruyne struck a superb free-kick from 20 yards that flew past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make it 2-1.
City pressed Barcelona all night, squeezing them every time they got the ball and it was a tactic that paid dividends. They scored a third with Gundogan grabbing his second of the night after good work from substitute Jesus Navas.
