Manchester City 3 Barcelona 1: Ilkay Gundogan’s brace seals famous win
German ace strikes twice to secure vital Champions League win for Pep Guardiola's men against his former side
MANCHESTER CITY recorded a famous 3-1 victory over Barcelona thanks to a brace from Ilkay Gundogan and a stunner from Kevin De Bruyne.
Pep Guardiola, taking on his former side, watched on with joy as his side showed great character to come from behind to take the glory in this Champions League clash.
Lionel Messi fired the Spanish giants into the lead early on.
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But City were back on level terms before the break as Sergio Aguero pounced on a loose ball to play in Raheem Sterling, and the England winger squared it for Gundogan to stab home at the back post.
De Bruyne then curled home a spectacular free-kick from 25 yards just minutes after the restart.
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Andre Gomes hit the bar for Barca as they attempted to draw level, but the La Liga side were undone when Gundogan grabbed his second late on to secure Man City the victory.
Facts, stats, goals and lols
- City would have been encouraged to see the Barca team sheet missing captain Andres Iniesta and defenders Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Aleix Vidal and Jeremy Mathieu.
- City need to have a think about their ticketing for these big nights - hundreds of fans were outside waiting when the game kicked off.
- Barcelona have happy memories of Hungarian ref Viktor Kassai - he was in charge when they beat Manchester United at Wembley in 2011. They like him even more now after turning down that early penalty shout.
- City must be sick of the sight of Lionel Messi - that's six goals in six games between these two clubs for the little superstar
- And that makes it 16 in his last 14 games for Barca - just imagine if he ever comes to play here.
- Ilkay Gundogan has four goals in four days for City. If he can stay fit then his £20.4 million fee could prove to be an absolute steal.
- You can't call Kevin de Bruyne a bargain at £54 million - but what a signing he has been.
- It will be a big blow for City if Fernandinho is injured. The Brazilian has been an ever prsent for City but looked uncomfortable when he came off on the hour.
- Sergio Aguero used to be Diego Maradona's son-in-law. Maybe he learned a trick or two off the Argentine legend - as it looked a clear handball.
- Maybe now - and with Guardiola in charge - City fans will finally fall in love with the Champions League. This was a wonderful night.
SOCIAL SAYS
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
MANCHESTER CITY: Caballero 6, Zabaleta 6, Stones 6, Otamendi 7, Kolarov 7, Fernandinho 6 (Fernando 60, 6), Gundogan 8, Silva 7, Sterling 6 (Navas 71, 6), De Bruyne 8 (Nolito, 6), Aguero 7
Subs not used: Gunn, Clichy, Kompany, Iheanacho
Booked: Kolarov, Sterling
Goals: Gundogan (39, 74), De Bruyne (51)
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen 5, Sergi 4, Mascherano 6, Umtiti 6, Digne 6, Rakitic 6 (Turan 61, 5), Busquets 6, Andre Gomes 6, (Rafinha 76, 6), Messi 7, Suarez 6, Neymar 7
Subs not used: Suarez, Cillessen, Alcacer Garcia, Perdomo Borges, Santos da Silva Barbosa
Booked: Rakitic, Busquets, Neymar
Goal: Messi (21)
STAR MAN Ilkay Gundogan
THEY SAID:
Ilkay Gundogan (Man City): “We dominated Barca. We had a few more chances to score and the result was more than deserved.
“It was not so much about the tactics - it was about mentality. In the second half, it was a great game from us and an incredible night for everyone.”