Heartbreak for battling Bhoys

Barcelona 2 Celtic 1

Celtic had led at the famous stadium when, in the 18th minute, Georgios Samaras’s header from a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick went in off the back of Barcelona’s makeshift centre-back, Javier Mascherano.

And it looked for a while like the Greek striker, who had scored the winner against Spartak Moscow earlier in the month to clinch Celtic’s first away victory in the competition, might have just have played his part in an even more momentous goal.

However, a minute before the break Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta levelled, and with the four minutes of injury-time almost played at the end of an exhausting evening, defender Alba sneaked in at the back post to slide in an Adriano cross.

However they may have felt, the Celtic players were applauded off by their supporters and manager Neil Lennon was proud with his side’s spirited performance, declaring: “I’m bitterly disappointed for the players but proud as well.

“They were brave, they stuck to what we asked them to do and didn’t lose their composure.

“We knew we would be under pressure, we would give the ball away at certain times, but we told them to accept that and they did.

“They defended brilliantly and at times on the counter-attack looked dangerous.

“This is the best team in the world and to come here and play like that... some people had written us off, but it didn’t surprise me.

“The hurt will last for a couple of days, but I don’t think I need to pick them up. They’ve been very brave under great pressure.”

Fraser Forster was in outstanding form, especially in the second half as he made a series of saves to show just why he had been included in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.

Moreover, with Spartak beating Benfica 2-1 in Moscow, the Hoops remain in second place with four points from three games as they await the visit of Barcelona to Glasgow for the return game in a fortnight.

However, the first half turned on its head in the 18th minute. Forster pulled off a great save from Bartra’s close-range header after the rookie defender had got on the end of an Iniesta cut-back following more prompting by Messi.

The Scottish champions took immediate advantage of their good fortune when Sanchez conceded a free-kick for a foul on Scott Brown wide on the right. Mulgrew’s whipped-in free-kick was met by the head of Samaras and the ball came off the challenging Mascherano and went past the helpless Victor Valdes.

The several thousand Hoops fans high up in the stands could hardly believe what they had witnessed.

In the 32nd minute, with the Celtic defence pinned back, Forster made a decent save from right-back Adriano while Messi sent two free-kicks arcing just over Forster’s bar.

Two minutes from the break, Samaras was replaced by James Forrest after going over on his ankle.

A minute later Barcelona were level when Iniesta, after taking a Messi pass, worked a one-two with skipper Xavi Hernandez before sliding the ball past Forster from 12 yards as he slid to the ground.

It was a sickener for Lennon’s side who had worked so diligently.

Barcelona dominated possession at the start of the second half although they had a lucky escape in the 53rd minute when Mulgrew’s corner came off Victor Wanyama with the ball skipping only a yard past the post.

Commons came on for the struggling Brown in the 63rd minute but Barcelona continued to beat a relentless path towards the Celtic goal.

In the 68th minute Forster made a terrific point-blank save from Messi after the Argentina ace was set up by Adriano.

As Barcelona camped at the edge of the Celtic box, and the defending became more desperate, Forster made further fine saves from Sanchez and Messi.

Barcelona substitute David Villa, on for Alexis Sanchez, crashed a drive off the base of the post but just when it looked like Celtic would hold out, Alba popped up with the winner to break Hoops hearts.

BARCELONA: Valdes, Adriano, Bartra, Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Song, Iniesta, Sanchez (Villa 80), Messi, Pedro (Tello 76).

CELTIC: Forster, Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre, Samaras (Forrest 43), Brown (Commons 63), Wanyama, Ledley, Mulgrew (Kayal 76), Hooper.

Referee: G Rocchi (Ita).