Barcelona 1-0 Celtic by Xavi`s goal

An early goal from Xavi Hernández booked FC Barcelona's place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with victory against Celtic FC, although the Spanish side were made to work hard for their victory by opponents who grew in confidence and will deeply regret the handful of errors which ultimately decided this enthralling tie.

Xavi decider
Having won the first leg in Glasgow 3-2, thanks in no small part to Messi's two goals, Barcelona were hot favourites to reach the last eight against the Scottish champions, who had never won a knockout tie in UEFA club competition after losing the first leg and were without an away win in the UEFA Champions League. Celtic's prospects looked bleaker still after Xavi increased's Barcelona's aggregate advantage in only the third minute with his fifth goal in eight matches, although the visitors never lost heart and pressed their opponents until the final whistle.

Early setback
Whatever else Gordon Strachan's team talk had included he will certainly have underlined the importance of not conceding an early goal yet sadly for Celtic their deficit almost instantly increased. The visitors were still feeling their way into an unfamiliar 4-2-3-1 formation when Barça struck with thrilling speed. Celtic's right-back Mark Wilson was making his first start since September and was ill-prepared for the smart reverse-pass by Ronaldinho, allowing Sylvinho to race past the defender and deliver a cross which Xavi flicked past Artur Boruc.

Fizzing shot
That might have dispirited the visiting team, who had recorded 15 defeats in their 16 away matches in the UEFA Champions League and only one draw - at Camp Nou. Ronaldinho's fizzing shot which Boruc parried extremely uncomfortably added to the sensation that Barça were about to cut loose, but Strachan's side rallied and began to use possession with growing intelligence and calmness. However, no matter how difficult Celtic made it for the 2006 winners it was clear Ronaldinho was both back on form and enjoying himself. The Brazilian crafted openings for Xavi and Samuel Eto'o before producing one magical disguised pass into the path of Carles Puyol. The defender is no penalty-area expert but so good was the assist that it needed a fine reaction save from Boruc.

Messi off
The home side's momentum was momentarily interrupted as Lionel Messi limped off in tears following a collision with Massimo Donati and, despite his replacement by Thierry Henry, Barça reached the break without turning pressure into more goals. With Evander Sno replacing Donati Celtic began the second half with much more verve. Frustrating Barça and the home crowd, Sno and Scott Brown combined for a lovely crossfield move which needed a wonderful block from Sylvinho. Celtic were on the charge and the game was being stretched, although such an approach inevitably incited Barcelona, Boruc making a top-quality save form Eto'o after an elegant one-two with Ronaldinho.

McGeady class
A clever Deco shot brought another home corner on the hour, although for all Barça's pressure it was Celtic's Aiden McGeady who increasingly stood out. Quick, confident on the ball and always keen to take on his defender, his skills and work ethic gave the noisy Celtic fans something to cherish from a dignified end to their European season, but it is Barcelona who will take their place in the quarter-final draw in Moscow on 14 March.