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A scintillating display from Lionel Messi had everything apart from a goal as the Argentine maestro guided Barcelona to a record eighth consecutive Champions League quarter final against Manchester City.

It would be a tough ask for any team to overturn a 1-2 deficit at the Camp Nou but when Messi turns up in that kind of mood, it is impossible.

One goal proved to be enough for Barcelona on the night and while he was not on the scoresheet himself, it was Messi who provided the assist. James Milner and Aleksandar Kolarov tried their best to contain his marauding surge into the City half but with one snap movement back on to his left-foot, Messi swung a curling cross towards Ivan Rakitic, who controlled the ball with his chest before smartly dinking it over the advancing Joe Hart. 

Messi has found the net on 20 occasions since the turn of the year but how frequently he provides for his teammates is equally impressive. His latest assist was his 21st of the season.

It had been coming. Barça were looking super slick in possession and mustered a number of good chances in the opening half-hour. A neat one-two with Andres Iniesta resulted in a low driven shot from Messi, only to be denied by Joe Hart, which would go on to be a feature throughout the game.

Messi started out on the right but ended up just about everywhere in the final third, wreaking absolute havoc in the City half. The only viable option was to cut him in his tracks – Kolarov cynically barged the Argentine to the ground after he had cleverly played the ball beyond the full-back. Then, it was David Silva’s turn to see yellow, taking one for the team with a lunging slide tackle on the edge of the box.

Others were not so lucky. Shortly after taking Fernandinho’s modesty away with two ridiculous nutmegs, Messi would soon have the home supporters on their feet again and another victim on the ground.

It usually takes something pretty special to impress Pep Guardiola but even he was left in disbelief looking on from the stands as Messi flicked the ball between the legs of James Milner, with the Englishman falling flat on the floor. 

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The Bayern Munich boss was making his first return to the Camp Nou after leaving the club in 2012 and though he was trying to remain emotionless, Messi’s moment of brilliance had his former boss puffing his cheeks and with his head in his hands. Try as he might to contain himself, it was evident that he was enjoying what he was seeing from his former star pupil.

The only sour note for Messi was, of course, that he failed to find the net as he did in the first leg. Joe Hart, who kept City in the tie by saving a last minute penalty from the 27-year-old in Manchester, would once again thwart his every attempt.

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It was a heroic performance from the England international who made a total of ten stops, a record high in this season’s competition. 

Hart’s opposite number also had a night to remember. Marc-Andre ter Stegen has found himself playing second fiddle to Claudio Bravo in La Liga so on one of his rare opportunities to impress, the German seized the moment. 

When Sergio Aguero was brought down by Gerard Pique in the box, the visitors had the chance to get back into the tie. Ter Stegen made a name for himself in Germany on international duty when he came off the bench to save a Messi penalty. This time, shortly after his failed attempt to dribble past him out on the touchline which almost left him red-faced, ter Stegen would deny Aguero with a terrific stop.  

It was a huge moment for the young keeper who has understandably looked timid since joining the club and one which will go a long way toward endearing himself to the supporters who have yet to see the best of him.

The standout player of the night for Barcelona, however, was the little wizard. It is a frightening thought but the reality is that Messi may well be entering the best form of his career. Beyond his goals, his increasing all-round influence on the team has reached new bounds in 2015, even in what is supposedly his less favored role.

Barcelona may not be the outright favorites to win the Champions League as they so often have been in recent years but with Messi playing as he currently is, they stand as good a chance as ever.