A Cesc Fabregas header 15 minutes from time secured all three points for Barcelona in their Champions League clash with Celtic in Glasgow.
Barcelona dominated the possession in the first period, but could not make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Celtic were reduced to 10 men just before the hour mark when Scott Brown was given his marching orders for a stamp on Neymar, before Fabregas won it for the away side after 76 minutes.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Group H rivals.
Match statistics:
Celtic:
Shots: 4
On target: 2
Possession: 18%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 18
Barcelona:
Shots: 12
On target: 5
Possession: 82%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 8
Was the result fair?
On the balance of play, it is difficult to argue that Barcelona did not deserve to pick up all the points this evening. However, the scoreline does not flatter Celtic, with the Spanish outfit struggling to carve out too many clear opportunities. Celtic might have taken the lead with a couple of golden chances in the second period, but it just wasn't to be. The result has left them with a mountain to climb in the group, even at this early stage.
Celtic's performance
Without the ball, Celtic were just stunning this evening. They did not allow Barcelona a moment to rest and forced the away side into a number of mistakes in the final third. That said, they were extremely poor in possession. Georgios Samaras did his best to make something happen in the Barcelona half, but too often he ran into a number of black shirts. But for some poor finishing and the Brown red card, it might have been a different story. However, ultimately they did not do enough in the final third.
Barcelona's performance
Barcelona might have picked up all three points this evening, but they were, quite comfortably, as poor as they have been all season. Even Xavi and Andres Iniesta continually lost possession in the first period, while they found it difficult to break through a stern Celtic defence. Without Lionel Messi, they did not really have a focal point in attack, but ultimately it is another victory for the Spanish champions as they move onto six points in the group.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Fraser Forster: There was not a standout player in either team this evening, but Forster gains this award for his performance in the final 10 minutes. First the England goalkeeper denied a stinging strike from Neymar, before pouncing to push a powerful Alexis Sanchez effort wide of the post. It was as good a double-save as you will see this season.
Biggest gaffe
The red card awarded to Brown will be contested by Celtic, but the fact of the matter is that the Scottish midfielder gave the referee a decision to take. Having pulled Neymar to the ground, Brown appeared to stamp on the Brazilian's back. It could be considered harsh, but his actions left his team with a mountain to climb in the final 30 minutes.
Referee performance
Stephane Lannoy will not be a popular man with the Celtic supporters this evening having dismissed Brown in the second period. However, aside from that incident, the Frenchman had a fairly low-key evening as he allowed the match to flow in the correct areas.
What next?
Celtic: Celtic could move top of the Scottish Premier League when they welcome Motherwell to Glasgow on Saturday afternoon.
Barcelona: The Spanish outfit will attempt to continue their perfect record in La Liga when they welcome Real Valladolid on Saturday evening.
Matt Law
