Lionel Messi ensured a nightmare return to the Nou Camp for Pep Guardiola as the Argentine scored an impressive hat-trick
Lionel Messi scored another Champions League hat-trick as Pep Guardiola endured a nightmare return to the Nou Camp.
The Argentine bagged his first before the break, capitalising on a Fernandinho slip before beating Claudio Bravo.
City had chances to level but a ludicrous handball from Bravo put Barca in complete control.
Messi soon beat substitute Wily Caballero to add his second before completing his hat-trick.
Neymar then missed a penalty but made amends soon after with a fine solo goal.
Here are John Cross' complete player ratings.
Barcelona
Ter Stegen 7 - Easy to see why Guardiola called him before Bravo in the summer. Good saves.
Mascherano 6 - Played as a makeshift right back to help Barcelona’s injury-hit defence.
Pique 6 - Went off injured before half time after a heavy challenge by Silva.
Umtiti 7 - Went close with a header and was fairly solid in defence for Barcelona.
Alba 5 - Went off injured early, having seen City cause problems on his left flank.
Rakitic 7 - Busy performance, made Barcelona tick while City worked hard to close him down.
Busquets 7 - Very effective midfield display as he shielded his defence to good effect.
Iniesta 8 - Hardly misplaced a pass all night, a legend of the game. Assist for Messi’s second.
Messi 9 MOTM - His skill magic makes him the world’s best player, there can be no doubt.
Suarez 8 - His incredible work rate and determination caused City all sorts of problems.
Neymar 7 - His 150th appearance for Barcelona and looks destined for many more on this evidence. Made up for his missed penalty with a fine goal.
Subs
Digne, for Alba, 9 mins, 6
Mathieu, for Pique, 38 mins, 5
Gomes, for Iniesta, 78 mins
Manchester City
Bravo 4 - His theatrical display was unconvincing even before his embarrassing red card.
Zabaleta 5 - Lots of commitment but his days are coming to an end. Undone for pace.
Stones 6 - Missed a glorious chance to equalise but headed wide from close range.
Otamendi 6 - Battled well, some good blocks and did his best to keep Barca’s forwards quiet.
Kolarov 6 - Good technically, uses the ball well but often flawed when asked to defend.
Fernandinho 5 - Slipped over at a crucial moment and allowed the goal to open up for Messi.
Gundogan 7 - Good running from midfield and was denied by excellent save from ter Stegen.
Silva 7 - Booked. Shown a yellow for bad foul on Pique. Most out of keeping for Silva.
Sterling 7 - Gave Barcelona some early problems, worked hard and used his pace well.
Nolito 5 - Some lively runs but far too often a periphery figure for City’s forward line.
De Bruyne 6 - Surprise inclusion as a false nine. The position did not get the best out of him.
Subs
Caballero, for Nolito, 58 mins, 6
Clichy, for Zabaleta, 58 mins, 6
Aguero, for Gundogan, 77 mins
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