A last-gasp Jordi Alba tap-in broke Celtic hearts at the Camp Nou this evening.
The Scottish champions took an early lead through a combination of Georgios Samaras and Javier Mascherano before Andres Iniesta squeezed in an equaliser just before half-time.
Celtic held out for 48 minutes before Alba's winner in the 94th minute.
Match statistics:
Barca:
Shots 26
On target 16
Possession 78%
Corners 15
Fouls 9
Celtic:
Shots 4
On target 2
Possession 22%
Corners 1
Fouls 10
Was the result fair?
As Barcelona had so much possession and were knocking on the door for much of the game, you'd have to say yes. However, Celtic entered the match as rank outsiders and almost nicked an epic point.
Barca's performance
Average by their own very high standards. Lionel Messi in particular was kept quiet by Vincent Wanyama especially. Iniesta ran the show for the hosts but they created no more than five real, clear-cut openings for the 2011 champions.
Celtic's performance
One to be proud of. The Bhoys' pressing was a constant thorn in the side of the tiki-taka style of Barca but they were undone by some slack back-post defending right at the death. Going forward they rarely troubled the hosts' backline and Victor Valdes barely had a save to make.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Vincent Wanyama: The Celtic defensive midfielder put in a trojan, combative performance and if Celtic had held on then he would have been one of the main reasons.
Biggest gaffe of the match
No real gaffes to speak of but it's going to Javier Mascherano for his part in Georgios Samaras's goal. The wee Argentinian perhaps could have done more to stop the ball diverting past Valdes.
Referee performance
Gianluca Rocchi had very few contentious decisions to deal with and rightly booked Mascherano for a cynical tackle on James Forrest.
What next?
Barca: Barca next go to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday evening.
Celtic: Next up for the Scottish leaders is a visit from Kilmarnock in the SPL.
Pascal Lemesre
