Arsenal Fall 2-0 To Barcelona In Champions League Round Of 16, Game 1

Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League were dashed after a stinging 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the last-16 first leg at Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday.

Arsenal Fall 2-0 To Barcelona In Champions League Round Of 16, Game 1

Lionel Messi scored twice in the last 20 minutes, including one penalty after being fouled by substitute Mathieu Flamini, who had only been on the field for a few minutes.  Messi’s first goal came in the 71st minute, as Neymar broke away, squared for Messi who waited for Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech to dive before tapping the ball over him and into the net.  

Arsenal’s official Twitter feed immediately blew up with jokes mocking Flamini and goalkeeper Cech after Ballon d’Or winner Messi netted two goals past him.

‘He came. He saw. He destroyed everything. Mathieu Flamini,’ read one popular meme that showed the player wearing a Super Mario hat.

Just before half-time, Barcelona nearly scored a first goal. Hector Bellerin and Aaron Ramsey gave the ball away and Luis Suarez passed to Messi but Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal made the tackle before the star Argentine forward could shoot.

With seconds remaining, Suarez then met a Dani Alves cross five yards out but his quick header flew just past the far post. Barcelona also got a chance in the first five minutes of the second half as Neymar broke free but Petr Cech came out quickly and blocked his low shot with his legs.

PHOTO: LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 23: Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and Barcelona on February 23, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)