Barcelona have beaten 10-man Manchester City 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium.
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Alvaro Negredo had City's first chance of the match when he was slid through by David Silva and took the ball past Victor Valdes before chipping an effort across the face of goal.
The home side were inches away from forcing the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble after Valdes had failed to claim a corner from Silva, but the keeper recovered well to prevent Yaya Toure scoring at the back post.
Xavi then tested his luck from long range with a powerful effort that Joe Hart had to hold on to.
Manchester City were reduced to 10 men eight minutes into the second half as Martin Demichelis brought down Lionel Messi just inside the box, with the Argentine clean through on goal.
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The visitors were awarded a penalty for the foul, and Messi made no mistake by calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Dani Alves came within inches of doubling Barcelona's lead when he exchanged passes with Xai and burst into the box before firing a low drive narrowly wide of the far post.
The hosts fashioned a good opening when Silva was found in the box by Pablo Zabaleta before firing in a powerful strike that was well held by Valdes.
In the final minute Alves scored Barca's second goal of the night when he latched on to Neymar's pass and slotted a low strike underneath the legs of Hart.
Alex Meyers
