Barcelona have extended their aggregate lead over Manchester City to 3-1 courtesy of a solitary Ivan Rakitic strike in the first half of their Champions League last-16 second leg at the Camp Nou.
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The hosts almost took the lead after just six minutes when Dani Alves robbed Vincent Kompany of possession on the edge of the City box before sliding a pass through to Neymar. The Brazilian attacker beat Joe Hart with his effort, but watched on helplessly as it hit the inside of the post and trickled across the line.
The early pressure continued to be applied by Barca and Hart was forced into a smart save just five minutes later as Lionel Messi fired a low shot towards the bottom corner from a tight angle following slick build-up play with Andres Iniesta.
City responded through a driving run from Yaya Toure that almost set up James Milner, but they were soon under the cosh once again as Messi came close with a free kick.
Despite their control of possession, Barcelona's opener came on the break as Messi provided the pass for Rakitic, who lifted it home for the first Champions League goal of his career.
Messi continued to act as the conductor of the hosts' orchestra and created another chance for Neymar towards the end of the half, while Luis Suarez was unable to steer a free header on target from the resulting corner.
Suarez had another glorious chance to extend the lead further when he was played through by Jordi Alba, but for the second time in the half the hosts were denied by the upright.
City still need two goals to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals following their 2-1 first-leg defeat.
Barney Corkhill
