Manchester City 3-1 Barcelona: Gundogan the two-goal hero

Kevin De Bruyne, right, celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal at the Etihad. Picture: AFP/Getty Images

Kevin De Bruyne was also on target with a sublime free-kick as City responded to Lionel Messi’s early strike in remarkable fashion.

City’s performance was not only an emphatic response to the 4-0 thrashing in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago that had people questioning manager Pep Guardiola’s methods, but reignited their challenge in Group C. It was a compelling, breathless contest in which both sides created numerous chances against fallible defences. City had a strong penalty claim turned down early on while Andre Gomes hit the woodwork for Barca.

Yet these were just a couple of many memorable moments that contributed to what will be remembered as a classic, and what was perhaps the dawn of a new era for City in Europe.

City started with Sergio Aguero in attack, following his surprise omission at the Nou Camp, and looked all the more dangerous for it.

There was a huge sense of anticipation as the Argentinian broke through a gap, relishing the chance to take on a defence lacking Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba, in the opening minutes.

On that occasion he was flagged offside but it was an indication of City’s determination to attack and that same inclination should have yielded a penalty for Raheem Sterling after ten minutes.

The England forward looked to have been trodden on by Samuel Umtiti as he burst into the area but instead, to widespread disbelief, found himself booked for diving by Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai.

City were sensing another opportunity when Barcelona once again showed their ruthless side to snatch the lead with a clinical counter-attack.

David Silva floated a free-kick into the Barca area and the  fit-again Pablo Zabaleta teed up a shooting chance for  Aguero.

Javier Mascherano blocked and in an instant everything changed as Messi swept the ball forward to release  Neymar.

The Brazilian raced clear and then played a perfect return pass for Messi behind the retreating defence. Much the same as a fortnight ago, Messi made no mistake as he jinked into the area and  finished coolly.

City were gifted a way back into the game six minutes before the break as Sergi Roberto played a casual ball across his own box and Aguero intercepted. He quickly released Sterling and his low ball to the far post was thumped in by Gundogan.

The complexion of the game changed again and City’s efforts were rewarded after Sergio Busquets bundled Silva over outside the area to give De Bruyne his chance.

Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a slight movement in the wrong direction and De Bruyne took full advantage as he lifted the ball over the wall and beyond the German’s reach.

The next goal was critical and City got it after another slick attack. De Bruyne released substitute Jesus Navas with a fine through ball and his pull-back struck Aguero before being tucked in by  Gundogan.