Lionel Messi's masterclass dumped Manchester City out of the Champions League on Wednesday, despite an ‘incredible’ effort from Joe Hart.
Having led 2-1 from the first leg at The Etihad, Barca took the game to the Premier League title holders from the off as Brazilian Neymar struck a post early on.
The pressure continued, but Hart was denying the Spanish giants at every turn until he was finally beaten by Ivan Rakitic, who lobbed the England no1 just after the half hour mark for the game’s only goal.
Hart’s heroics continued into the second half as Barcelona registered 23 attempts on the City goal, but the shotstopper was in tremendous form as he almost single-handedly kept Messi and his team-mates at bay.
'He has shown again what a great keeper he is and it is not the first time'
Milner on Hart's performance
City, who also included fellow Three Lions man James Milner in their line-up, needed two goals to take it to extra-time and they were handed a chance to claw one back with around ten minutes to go. Sergio Aguero was fouled inside the area, but the usually lethal striker saw his penalty saved as he and his team-mates saw their European dreams ended at the Nou Camp.
Describing Hart’s performance to Sky after the game, Milner said: “There’s not too many words you can say – it was incredible really.
“He has shown again what a great keeper he is and it is not the first time he has done that for us in Europe.
“He gave us that to be still be in it when we get the penalty – he was amazing and deserves everything that gets said about it.”
Leeds United and England midfielder Lewis Cook
Away from the Champions League, and Lewis Cook, who was named in the England Under-19s squad for the first time this week, helped Leeds United to collect three points away to Fulham.
The midfielder played the full ninety minutes as Leeds made it five wins out of six on the road in the Championship with goals from Sam Byram, Sol Bamba and Mirco Antenucci securing a 3-0 victory.
Defender Jamaal Lascelles, who could be named in Gareth Southgate’s England Under-21s squad on Thursday, will be celebrating a clean sheet as his Nottingham Forest side defeated Rotherham 2-0 at the City Ground to move within eight points of the play-off places.
