Xavi's early strike guides Barcelona past Celtic

By Simon Baskett

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona eased into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a quickfire strike by Xavi earned a 1-0 win over Celtic on Tuesday.

The midfielder put a rapid end to Celtic's hopes of causing a second-leg upset when he steered the ball in at the near post after Silvinho had latched on to a cleverly disguised pass from Ronaldinho in the third minute at the Nou Camp.

Barca, who won the first leg 3-2 at Parkhead, had a host of opportunities to extend their lead but keeper Artur Boruc pulled off a string of fine saves.

Some of the shine was taken off the first knockout round triumph when livewire Argentina forward Lionel Messi hobbled off 10 minutes before the break with a thigh injury.

"It's very bad news," Barca coach Frank Rijkaard told reporters. "He's really suffering as he's had this injury before.

"It's a sad moment but tomorrow we've got the medical tests and we hope it isn't as bad as it seems."

Manager Gordon Strachan compared the challenge of toppling Barcelona to climbing Everest in his pre-match news conference and Celtic's hopes of reaching the summit were effectively dashed almost as soon as the game started.

Ronaldinho fed fellow Brazilian Silvinho on the left, the fullback fired in a cross and Xavi steered the ball over Boruc with the outside of his foot.