Lionel Messi returned to haunt Arsenal netting a brilliant goal and a penalty to help Fc Barcelona win 3-1 and advance to the European Champions League quarter-finals.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Barcelona dominated the game from the very beginning at the Nou Camp, and were given a helping hand as luckless Robin van Persie was sent off for a very soft second yellow card early in the second half.
The English club came from a goal down to win last month's first leg in London 2-1 and looked to be heading into the last eight when Sergio Busquets headed into his own goal in the 53rd to make it 1-1 on the night.
However, Van Persie was sent off three minutes later for a second yellow card and left the field protesting that he had not heard the referee blowing his whistle for offside over the din before he took a shot.
Xavi struck in the 69th minute and Messi stroked the ball home from the spot in the 71st after Laurent Koscielny's foul on Pedro and Barca advanced 4-3 on aggregate to knock out Arsenal for the second straight season.
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