PARIS: Lionel Messi fired Barcelona into the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday after a 2-0 win at Celtic as they were joined in the knockout rounds by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
The Argentine star returned from illness to score both goals at Celtic Park — the second from the penalty spot — to send the five-time European champions through as winners of Group C.
City recovered from a goal down in Germany to earn a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach as both sides finished with 10 men.
Raffael grabbed the opening goal for Gladbach on 23 minutes, but David Silva poked in Kevin De Bruyne’s cross just prior to the break before Lars Stindl and Fernandinho saw red in the second half.
“We controlled the game but it wasn’t enough to win. We’re just happy that we’re through to the last 16,” said Belgian international De Bruyne.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain seized control of their own destiny in Group A with a 2-2 draw away to Arsenal.
Edinson Cavani turned in Blaise Matuidi’s cross at the far post to hand PSG an 18th-minute lead at the Emirates Stadium.
But the Gunners hit back on the stroke of half-time as Alexis Sanchez was brought down by Grzegorz Krychowiak and Olivier Giroud rolled home the resulting spot-kick.
