Barcelona 1-0 Celtic (Barcelona win 4-2 on agg): Barcelona eased into the last eight of the Champions League after a quickfire strike by Xavi earned a 1-0 win over Celtic.
The midfielder put a rapid end to Celtic's hopes of causing a
second-leg upset when he steered the ball in at the near post after
Silvinho had latched on to a cleverly disguised pass from
Ronaldinho in the third minute.
Barca, who won the first leg 3-2 at Parkhead, had a host of
opportunities to extend their lead but keeper Artur Boruc pulled
off a string of fine saves.
The shine was taken off the first knockout round triumph,
however, when livewire Argentina forward Lionel Messi hobbled off
10 minutes before the break with what seemed to be a thigh injury.
Manager Gordon Strachan compared the challenge of toppling
Barcelona to climbing Everest in his pre-match news conference and
Celtic's hopes of reaching the summit were effectively dashed
almost as soon as the game started.
Ronaldinho fed fellow Brazilian Silvinho on the left, the
fullback fired in a cross and Xavi steered the ball over Boruc with
the outside of his foot.
Playmaker Ronaldinho caused Boruc problems with a rasping
shot soon after and Samuel Eto'o headed wide as Barca laid siege to
Celtic's area.
The Scots weathered the storm but had to live off scraps of
possession as Barca settled into their trademark passing game.
Celtic had a couple of half chances on the break while, at
the other end, Boruc thwarted Ronaldinho just before the hour and
produced a brilliant stop moments later to beat away a fierce
dipping volley from Deco.
The Pole pulled off another fine stop to deny substitute
Eidur Gudjohnsen late on.
Opposite number Victor Valdes was finally pressed into action
in added time when he tipped a goalbound shot from Shunsuke
Nakamura over the bar.