Lionel Messi strikes twice to leave Arsenal hopes hanging by a thread

Lionel Messi struck a brace as Barcelona's late show saw them secure a 2-0 victory at Arsenal and take a commanding grip of this Champions League last-16 tie.

The visitors rolled into town boasting the much-heralded MSN in attack but they were largely nullified in the first half as Arsene Wenger's game-plan to restrict and counter-attack appeared to be working.

The hosts were resolute and organised in defence and it showed as the Catalans failed to muster an effort on target in the first half of a Champions League match for the first time since November 2013. Arsenal could have capped their positive display with a goal but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fluffed an early opening.

It proved to be costly as Barcelona grew as the game wore on and typically it was the combination of Barca's triumvirate that broke the home side's hearts with 19 minutes to go. It took just 16 seconds for Neymar, Luis Suarez and Messi to ruthlessly break on the hosts, with the Argentine providing a composed finish to net his first ever goal against Petr Cech.

Arsenal's hopes were all-but completely dashed seven minutes from the end when substitute Mathieu Flamini's first act was to bring down Messi, giving the Argentine the chance to fire a cool spot kick into the left-hand corner.

The result leaves the Gunners on the verge of an exit after losing a last-16 home match by a two-goal margin for the fourth time in a row. Realistically Arsenal needed to take an advantage to the Nou Camp for the second leg on March 16 and will now surely just go through the motions as the holders look to put the seal on their march into the last eight.

Arsenal were quite rightly praised for their start to the match and for keeping Barca's front three quiet for large spells. Suarez missed some big chances at the end of the first period while Neymar also failed to come out on top in a one-on-one with Cech. The problem is that if two don't produce the goods, the third invariably does. On this occasion it was Messi's time to shine.

The Argentine's influence increased in the second period and he showed great awareness to dummy Cech before firing in the opener. Messi then won and converted the penalty to all-but book Barca's place in the last eight. Are they the best front three in history? This showing won't decide the argument, but even when they aren't at their best they have enough weapons to win games at will.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona). Quiet, but always a threat when Arsenal switched off. He ruthlessly punished them on two occasions and deserves the nod for his match-winning (and quite probably tie-winning) contributions.

ARSENAL: Čech 8, Bellerin 6, Mertesacker 6, Koscielny 6, Monreal 7, Coquelin 6, Ramsey 6; Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Özil 5, Sanchez 6; Giroud 5. Subs: Walcott 6, Welbeck 6, Flamini 4.

BARCELONA: Ter Stegen 7, Alves 7, Piqué 6, Mascherano 7, Alba 6, Busquets 7, Rakitic 7, Iniesta 7, Neymar 7, Suárez 7, Messi 8.

22' - ARSENAL CHANCE! The hosts cut Barca open. The ball is worked back for Bellerin whose miscued shot falls kindly for Oxlade-Chamberlain. The goal is gaping but the midfielder can only fire straight at Ter Stegen from eight yards out. Barca eventually scramble it clear.

45' - BARCELONA CHANCE! Suarez latches onto Messi's pass and fires past Cech, only to see Monreal clear it off the line.

45+1' - BARCELONA CHANCE! It's another opening for Suarez who guides a free header wide from Alves's brilliant hooked cross from the right.

49' - BARCELONA CHANCE! Neymar finally sprints free as the Arsenal defence parted. The Brazilian has Messi square but opts to try and beat Cech who makes a superb block to deny Barca the lead.

60' - ARSENAL CHANCE! Ter Stegen dives to his right to get a big hand to Giroud's header and it keep it from nestling in the corner. Fine stop.

71' - GOAL! ARSENAL 0-1 BARCELONA. The visitors break up a good spell of Arsenal pressure and kill the Gunners on the break. Neymar turns and frees Suarez on the left. The Uruguayan plays Neymar back in and the Brazilian marauds to the penalty area before laying it across for Messi to finish with aplomb.

78' - BARCELONA CHANCE! It should be 2-0. Barca break with their front three once more. Neymar overdoes it in the area and sees his shot deflect back to Messi. The Argentine tees up Suarez who somehow crashes against the post from inside the six-yard box.

83' - GOAL! ARSENAL 0-2 BARCELONA. Messi coolly fires the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner with Cech diving in the opposite direction. The Argentine had earned the spot kick after being felled by Flamini.

Lionel Messi now has eight CL goals vs Arsenal – only against AC Milan (8) has he scored as often.

Messi scored his first ever goals against Petr Cech, ending a run of 10 hours & 11 mins without scoring against him.