Joe Hart praises "magnificent" Barcelona

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted that his side were beaten by a "magnificent" Barcelona team in their Champions League last-16 tie.

The Spanish giants progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition for the eighth year in a row courtesy of a 1-0 victory at the Camp Nou this evening, which completed a 3-1 aggregate success.

It could have been even worse for City as Hart came to their rescue on numerous occasions over the two legs, but they also squandered a glorious chance of their own tonight when Sergio Aguero missed a penalty.

"We've gone out to a magnificent side for the second time in two years. They will get a lot of plaudits but we had a big chance with the penalty. We hung in there and didn't take it," Hart told Sky Sports News.

"It's unfortunate that I saved a penalty from Lionel Messi [in the first leg] and it didn't count in the end. I'm in there to make saves and they hit me a lot of times tonight.

"I was busy, it was definitely busy! I just tried to smother them, they are always looking for a pass and you have to try and make them rush. I don't know how Neymar's chance stayed out at the start."

City have still never made it past the last 16 of the Champions League.