Manchester City vs. Barcelona: Score, Reaction from 2016 Champions League Match

Ilkay Gundogan scored twice to help Manchester City beat Barcelona 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Gundogan equalised Lionel Messi's opener in the first half at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, before completing his brace in the second after a stunning free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne had given City a deserved lead.

The win is a huge statement from City against the five-time winners of the Champions League. City manager Pep Guardiola won two of those trophies but saw his new side produce football of a quality to rival even his best Barca teams.

Guardiola's men have now narrowed the gap in Group C to just two points with as many matches left to play.

Barcelona included left-back Lucas Digne and centre-back Samuel Umtiti in a reshuffled defence, while former Valencia man Andre Gomes came into midfield, per the tournament's official site:

The same source showed how John Stones partnered Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the City defence:

City were aggrieved not to be given a penalty inside the first 10 minutes when winger Raheem Sterling appeared to be felled in the box. However, referee Viktor Kassai opted to book ex-Liverpool man Sterling instead.

It was the first of a series of decisions that hardly endeared Kassai to the City faithful.

Still, even though they didn't get a penalty, City continued to pose a threat against a fragile Barca back four. BT Sport host Gary Lineker felt the visitors were inviting chances and goals:

Lineker's words soon proved prophetic, as the Barcelona forward line clicked into gear to ease the burden on those in defence. A stylish move saw Brazilian forward Neymar tee up fellow attacker Messi to finish off and give the Catalan club the lead.

Neymar has become a regular provider of goals in this competition:

Meanwhile, Messi remains the player Barca most often look to for inspiration, and they usually get it, per WhoScored.com:

This was a typically sudden explosion of brilliance from the best front three in Europe. It was swift, precise and ruthless.

Still, City didn't buckle despite the setback. They continued to fight for the right to boss possession. Their passing was accomplished and between the lines, always looking to release their own match-winners up front.

The reward for City's bravery came when Gundogan swept in an equaliser from a Sterling pass. The finish underlined Gundogan's growing importance in the final third, per Squawka:

Sterling's role in the goal also prompted some deserved praise from Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News:

Sterling was indeed a major threat, but he really should have given the hosts the lead early in the second half. Instead, a wayward first touch wasted a terrific chance after some incisive City passing.

The Citizens weren't left waiting long for the go-ahead goal, though. It came in spectacular fashion when De Bruyne lifted in a stunning free-kick to leave Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen stranded.

A 2-1 lead could so easily have become 3-1 barely minutes later had Otamendi managed to connect with even one of a pair of tantalising crosses. First, De Bruyne whipped one in the centre-back narrowly missed, then Sterling fired across a teasing delivery Otamendi should have met.

An even better chance went begging just after the hour mark when Aleksandar Kolarov's low cross eluded De Bruyne by barely a stud's length. David Silva had released Kolarov on the overlap and was beginning to boss midfield.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Barca then rued a missed opportunity of their own when Gomes lifted a shot on to the bar after some thrilling work from Luis Suarez. It would prove a costly miss.

City got their third after the kind of quality counter Barca would be proud of. The slick break saw De Bruyne thread a delicious pass for substitute Jesus Navas who crossed for Gundogan to tap home.

City then showed the other side of their game by holding their lead with the minimum amount of fuss.

Post-Match Reaction

Afterwards, Guardiola couldn't resist referencing the 4-0 defeat City suffered against Barca at the Camp Nou on the previous matchday, per the club:

But the manager reserved special praise for the way striker Sergio Aguero, on the bench for the first meeting, led the line:

"

PEP: Aguero played awesome! Sergio is so important. Without him we cannot achieve our targets. I am so happy for him because he was so happy

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 1, 2016"

Guardiola was also delighted at how City, still relative newbies at Europe's top table, matched a Champions League heavyweight like Barca:

Meanwhile, his opposite number Luis Enrique seemed to indicate his side can't just turn on the style every time, per Spanish source AS:

This is a result sure to provide a major fillip for the confidence of the Premier League leaders, proof they have the talent and class to win this tournament.