PEDRO RODRIGUEZ scored in each half as Barcelona strolled into the last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Panathinaikos in Athens.

After Djibril Cisse had missed an early opportunity for the hosts, Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with Rodriguez converting Daniel Alves’ threaded pass.

Second-half goals from Lionel Messi, who netted for the 10th game in succession for club and country, and Rodriguez sealed a comfortable win for Josep Guardiola’s side.

The result, coupled with Rubin Kazan’s 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen, eliminated Panathinaikos.

Panathinaikos seemed content to watch their opponents weave their magical passing patterns in the first half and wait for a chance on the counter.

It was a ploy which almost worked as newly-appointed Panathinaikos captain Cisse should have opened the scoring when he was sent clear by Lazaros Christodoulopoulos’ superb pass. The French man was denied by a smart save from Valdes.

Barca continued to press forward, and the hosts’ diligent backline was finally undone by Alves, who played in Rodriguez.

Goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas was then called into action twice before half-time for saves from Rodriguez and David Villa.

But he could do nothing to deny Messi his sixth Champions League strike of the season two minutes after the hour mark as the Argentine bundled home a pass from Adriano after good work by Andres Iniesta.

Iniesta was the provider of Barca’s third goal, sending over a left-wing cross which was converted from close range with ease by Rodriguez to seal an impressive win.

Rubin Kazan beat Copenhagen to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the knockout round.

Rubin captain Christian Noboa fired the home side in front with virtually the last kick of the first half when he converted a penalty in added time after English referee Martin Atkinson had penalised the visitors for a handball.

It was only the second goal scored by the Russians in their five group matches.

Valencia’s Roberto Soldado scored twice in a 6-1 demolition of Bursaspor to also qualify for the last 16.

Juan Mata set them on their way from the penalty spot after 17 minutes and Soldado, Aritz Aduriz and Joaquin had them 4-0 up by halftime.

Soldado scored his fifth of the competition after 55 minutes and Bursaspor scored their first goal in the group when substitute Pablo Batalla pulled one back in the 68th.

Alejandro Dominguez rounded out the scoring for the hosts.