The Spanish side played some exhibition stuff at times as they tore Rangers apart at will and only some inspired goalkeeping from Allan McGregor kept the score down.
Thierry Henry gave Barcelona an early lead and Lionel Messi added a second before half-time to ease any fears the home side may have had after the draw in Glasgow.
Rangers had returned to the scene of their greatest triumph - where they won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 - but few expected it would be anything other than a backs-to-the-wall display.
It looked even more of a struggle when Henry scored after only six minutes, bundling the ball in on the line after a Messi header had beaten McGregor.
Television pictures showed that Henry forced the ball home with his arm but it was clearly unintentional as he threw his body at the ball and it went in off him via the post.
Messi then shot straight at McGregor as Barcelona were encouraged by the early goal.
Andres Iniesta came within inches of the second when he side-footed an 18-yard shot narrowly wide after more good work from Messi.
But Rangers were not disheartened and kept the ball for long spells themselves and defended with discipline.
The Glasgow side did not pose too much threat up front, however, and the best they could muster in the first half was a tame header from DaMarcus Beasley which drifted wide.
Barcelona were always a threat going forward. Ronaldinho forced an excellent save from McGregor with a right-foot shot which the goalkeeper tipped over his crossbar.
McGregor then saved from Xavi and then Henry as the home side stepped it up towards half-time.
The reward came three minutes from the break when Ronaldinho carved open the defence and, when McGregor managed to keep out his shot, Messi followed up to slide the ball home.
Walter Smith did not change anything at half-time and Barcelona were in no mood to let up with Ronaldinho pulling the strings.
Xavi saw a shot deflected narrowly wide after a superb passing sequence had Rangers stretched at the back.
Messi was then denied by the boot of McGregor after he slipped the ball through David Weir's legs.
Xavi brushed the side-netting with a 25-yard shot which bent away from McGregor as Barcelona continued to dominate.
Messi side-footed wide after another flowing move with Henry setting him up with a clever pass.
Jean-Claude Darcheville saw a late free-kick smothered by Victor Valdes and then the goalkeeper kept out a Nacho Novo volley in injury-time in Rangers' best effort of the night.