Highlights: Luis Suarez scores twice for Barcelona to claim 2-1 away win over Manchester City

Luis Suarez, Dani Alves and Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrate a goal against Manchester City

Barcelona put one foot into the last 8 of the Uefa Champions League, courtesy of a comfortable 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Etihad Stadium, with former Liverpool man Luis Suarez celebrating a return to England by scoring two first-half goals.

Suarez’s first goal came in the 16th minute off a Dani Alves cross which bounced off Vincent Kompany, and his second in the 30th minute came after Lionel Messi skipped past three defenders outside the box and laid off to Jordi Alba, who provided the cross.

The visitors dominated proceedings in the first half, and the only substantial chance that fell to City was in the end of half when Sergio Aguero set up Samir Nasri to curl a shot from 20 yards out, requiring Ter Stegen to parry it out.

City launch comeback in second half

Pellegrini’s men came up with a much-improved performance in the second half, and in the 69th minute, Fernandinho slid the ball towards the area and David Silva produced a superb little flick for Aguero, who took the ball away from several defenders before smashing a shot into the top corner.

Chances of a City comeback was snuffed out when Gael Clichy was issued a second yellow card and sent off in the 73rd minute.

Lionel Messi had a golden chance to give his side a near-unassailable 3-1 lead with a penalty in the dying stages of the match, after being brought down to Argentine counterpart Pablo Zabaleta. However, Joe Hart came up with a good save to rescue City’s fortunes on the day.

The two teams meet for the second leg at Camp Nou on Thursday, 19 March.

Manchester City 0-1 Barcelona: Suarez (16’)

Manchester City 0-2 Barcelona: Suarez (30’)

Manchester City 1-2 Barcelona: Aguero (69’)