The seemingly inevitable took place on Wednesday when Manchester City suffered elimination at the hands of Barcelona for the second straight year in the Champions League.

Defeat was by one goal yet again, but this time it was as agonizing as they come.

The score was 1-0, but it was nowhere near as close as the score indicated. Here are some things we learned from Barcelona's 1-0 romp:

Lionel Messi the Hero

Messi did not score a single goal in the 1-0 win. In fact, he failed to find the back of the net through two games against Manchester City and remains stuck at eight goals in this tournament. Moreover, he was unable to retake the lead as the top scorer in the competition after rival Cristiano Ronaldo tied him up with a pair of strikes last week.

But it did not matter, as Messi was as dominant as has been expected from him in 2015. He put up a brilliant assist on the lone goal, finding Ivan Rakitic from across the field.

He made a game-high 82 passes, had two accurate long balls and two accurate through balls. He made a whopping five key passes--also a game high--and managed an astounding 11 dribbles (not to mention the numerous nutmegs that he employed to embarrass the entire Manchester City defense). Are there any other superlatives to use to describe Messi's game? And he also had three shots on target, one less than the entire Manchester City team.

This was a legendary performance from Messi, even if there was no goal. But if he continues this run of play, there can be no doubt that the goals will come.

Manchester City Outclassed in Every Respect

So picture this.

You enter this match down 2-1 on the aggregate and needing a 2-0 win to move on. Not as tricky a task if there is discipline and focus from the entire team toward the common goal.

But then to get outshot 23-15, out-dribbled and out-possessed -- in other words, thoroughly dominated -- is not excusable.

Manchester City barely looked interested in the game and wound up paying the dearest price of all. The epitome of it all was that penalty from Sergio Aguero that could have and should have turned the game.

With still over 15 minutes left in the game, he had a chance to tie the match and then hope to force extra time with a possible second goal in the final quarter-hour of the game. But alas, Aguero failed the penalty and City's season was essentially over.

Joe Hart Deserves Credit

Poor Joe Hart. A few years ago, it was his poor goaltending gaffes that were costing Manchester City trophies and victories. Now he has recaptured his best form and his team cannot put on a full shift in crucial games.

The keeper really does deserve full marks for his showcase through two games. He made a whopping 10 saves on the night and many were of the jaw-dropping variety.

Ultimately, however, the sport is not defined by one player and for all the credit Hart deserves, his team simply did not help him.