Barcelona are one step closer to reaching the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal stage after defeating Manchester City with a 2-1 score. Luis Suarez's first brace with Los Blaugranas proved to be too much for the Citizens, who were rather disappointing during the first 45 minutes.
Suarez scored his first goal after a colossal mistake by Vincent Kompany, who failed to send the ball out of play and left it all alone for the Uruguayan. After 30 minutes, Suarez scored again thanks to a cross by Jordi Alba, who put the ball away from the many Citizens surrounding the ball. Suarez became the first player in Barcelona's history to score a brace away from Camp Nou stadium in the first 30 minutes of a match.
A brace for Suarez, shame it's not on his teeth...
— Troll Football (@Troll__Football) February 24, 2015
Words cannot describe how happy I was for Suárez after his goals. This is everything he could have wanted and more.
— Neymarred (@Neymarred) February 24, 2015
"@Manny_mcfc: Not worried about Suarez, he disappears in big games." pic.twitter.com/nUOxC7DpZK
— Karen (@Karen24_x) February 24, 2015
Suarez whispers: "missed me?"
— The Chief (@BarcaChief) February 24, 2015
Luis Suarez celebrating his 2nd goal. pic.twitter.com/0jutxOpGYB
— _ (@VanGaald) February 24, 2015
After the break, Manchester City tried to level things by adding pressure to Barcelona's ball control, but they failed to make it count on the scoreboard. However, Sergio Aguero was able to make things closer for Pellegrini's side with his goal after 69 minutes.
Silva to Aguero. Those tiny Spanish speaking players that lack the physicality for the English game.
— Andres Cordero (@DreCordero) February 24, 2015
This why Aguero is world class
— Frank Nouble (@FrankNouble) February 24, 2015
What a goal and its that Argentinian. Aguero. Reminded me of his goal against QPR.
— l3ahpar (@l3ahpar) February 24, 2015
Aguero in the box = always a good idea
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) February 24, 2015
But things turned ugly for the Citizens after Gael Clichy was sent off just five minutes after Aguero's goal, but even after being reduced to ten men on the pitch, the Citizens' luck did not run out completely, since Lionel Messi missed a penalty kick during the final seconds of the game. This made fans not so happy with the Argentinian.
Suarez should have taken the pen to complete his hattrick. Didn't like that from Leo even if he scored.
— BarçaSnacks (@BarcaSnacks) February 24, 2015
Should have let Suarez take it!! #nominatedpenaltytakers
— Gary Gillespie (@DizGillespie2) February 24, 2015
Suarez immediately regrets not doing a Balotelli for the penalty.
— Conor McNamara (@ConorMcNamaraIE) February 24, 2015
With this victory, Barcelona will only need to hold the Citizens down to one goal in order to make it to the final eight, while the Sky Blues will need to score twice without conceding in order to have a chance to upset Los Blaugranas.