Barcelona brushed aside Celtic with an inspired 13-minute Neymar hat-trick to top group H and add their name to the list of potential opponents for Arsenal and Manchester City in the draw for the last 16..
Even without Andres Iniesta who was left on the bench, Leo Messi, still recuperating in Argentina, and Cesc Fabregas suspended, their comfortable victory never looked in doubt.
Neymar was handed central striking responsibilities and he did not disappoint with the fourth fastest hat-trick in Champions League history in the six goal drubbing.
In the air: Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates scoring a hat trick at the Nou Camp
All at sea: Forster is left stranded as Neymar taps home to put Barcelona 3-0 ahead
But Forster was flat out in the back of his own net as early as the seventh minute after Gerard Pique scored. Forster blocked Alexis Sanchez’ shot but could not save from the Spain defender.
The game also reunited Neymar with Scott Brown who was sent off for a foul on him at Celtic Park earlier in the season. Neymar was robbed brilliantly by Brown midway through the first half and Adam Mathews also got in ahead of the Brazilian as Celtic kept the score down.
The visitors were given a half chance by Xavi’s miscontrol at the other end but Joe Ledley’s cross went beyond Teemu Pukki. Brown then swept the ball out to Georgios Samaras and he won a corner off of Pique but as it was played back out to Nir Biton his shot was charged down.
Some Barcelona fans began chanting: 'Barca yes, Rosell no' – a reflection of discontent among some supporters over the way the club president Sandro Rosell is failing to keep together the players who were so successful under Pep Guardiola.
Who's the man? Neymar celebrates after scoring three goals in just 13 minutes in front of his home fans
Ain't no stopping him now: Neymar falls back as he fires home his third goal and Barcelona's fourth
Unstoppable: Neymar looks to the sky as he celebrates completing his hat trick
Out on the pitch Barca had fewer problems however and Pedro and Neymar scored to make it 3-0 at the break.
Neymar got his second just after the break shooting past Forster after being played in by Xavi. But for a fine save from Forster from Xavi’s free-kick it would have been five before the 50th minute.
As it was it was five on 57 minutes when Neymar nutmeged Ambrose and completed his hat-trick in record time. That was the cue for perhaps the biggest insult any visiting team can be paid at the Camp Nou – the Mexican wave started.
There was still time for a Celtic-assisted sixth as Tello’s shot deflected past Forster off his own defender Virgil van Dijk. Samaras headed in consolation goal three minutes time but it really was too easy for Barca.
Opener: Barcelona's Gerard Pique scores the first goal after seven minutes
Fingers up: Pique celebrates after putting Barcelona ahead against Celtic
Tribute: Barcelona and Celtic players stand behind a banner in honour of Nelson Mandela.
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