Lionel Messi’s first-half double inspired Barcelona into their first Champions League semi-final since 2015 as Manchester United were knocked out of Europe after a 3-0 loss at the Nou Camp, and 4-0 defeat on aggregate.
Left bruised and bleeding from a clash with Chris Smalling in the 1-0 first-leg win last week, Messi had his payback, ending his six-year quarter-final drought with a fine low strike (16) before his second somehow squirmed under David de Gea (20).
United had started brightly before the quick-fire double with Marcus Rashford hitting the bar in the opening minute, but they could not mount an unlikely comeback at the scene of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s heroics 20 years ago, with Philippe Coutinho curling in a beauty to seal the tie (61) after the break.
The result means United have suffered their heaviest-ever aggregate defeat in a two-legged European tie.
Barca will discover their semi-final opponents on Wednesday when Liverpool take their 2-0 lead to Porto, while for United their focus switches to the top-four race in the Premier League, starting with a trip to Everton on Super Sunday.
