Manchester United could not replicate their heroics against Paris Saint-Germain as they were thrashed 3-0 by Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.
A brace from Lionel Messi and a superb strike from Philippe Coutinho, sent Barcelona into the semi-final on a 4-0 aggregate win.
Messi’s goals means he has now scored 24 goals in 32 Champions League matches against English oppositions.
United had the first chance of the game through Marcus Rashford but his effort inside the opening minute came off the bar.
Few minutes later, Barcelona thought they had been awarded a penalty after Ivan Rakitic was tripped inside the box, but after the Video Assistance Referee (VAR) was consulted, the referee overturned the decision.
Barcelona eventually broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Messi who curled in a sensational 20-yard left-foot shot into the far corner.
In the 20th minute, Barcelona went 2-0 up as Messi once again was on target as his tame shot slipped through David De Gea’ s hands into the net.
And in the 61st minute, Coutinho put the game beyond doubt with a brilliant effort which flew past the outstretched De Gea to make it 3-0.
The defeat was United’s heaviest ever aggregate defeat in a European knockout tie in the club’s history.
And in Italy, Juventus’ quest for a first Champions League title since 1996, was dashed following their shock 2-1 home loss to Ajax.
Ajax went through 3-2 on aggregate despite playing a 1-1 draw at home against the Serie A giants.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened scoring for Juventus in the 28th minute but Donny van de Beek equalised for Ajax in the 34th minute.
And in the 67th minute Ajax skipper Matthijs de Ligt scored what proved to be the winner to give his side a surprise win.
Ajax have now qualified for the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 1996/97 season.
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