Lionel's rich haul Messi-merises Milan as Barca book semis ticket
Lionel Messi led Barcelona almost effortlessly past AC Milan into the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday with a thrilling 3-1 victory at the Nou Camp as the Argentine and his team mates got into the record books along the way.
Lionel Messi led Barcelona almost effortlessly past AC Milan into the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday with a thrilling 3-1 victory at the Nou Camp as the Argentine and his team mates got into the record books along the way.
The World Player of the Year scored twice from the penalty spot, his 14 goals in the competition so far bettering the previous record by two. The brace took his season tally in all competitions to an astonishing 58.
Messi helped set up the decisive third for Andres Iniesta just after the break, assuring the holders of a place in a fifth successive Champions League semifinal, matching a record achieved by arch-rivals Real Madrid between 1956 and 1960.
Barcelona will play the winners of the quarterfinal tie between Chelsea and Benfica which the London side lead 1-0 going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Messi scored from the spot when Luca Antonini slid into the back of him in the area after 11 minutes.
The visitors looked to play long balls up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic who slipped a pass into the area for Antonio Nocerino to fire in the equaliser on 32 minutes.
Barca were awarded a second penalty in the 41st when Aless-andro Nesta pulled Sergio Busquets back by his shirt at a corner and Messi sent Milan keeper Christian Abbiati the wrong way from the spot.
Barca got more breathing in the 53rd minute when Messi 's shot was blocked and broke to Andres Iniesta who dinked it over the diving keeper.
Rummenigge eyes treble for Bayern
Munich: Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Bayern Munich are bidding for a historic treble of titles after their 2-0 win over Marseille saw them cruise into the Champions League semi-finals.
Croatia striker Ivica Olic netted both Bayern's goals in the first-half to seal a 4-0 quarterfinal win on aggregate on Tuesday.
Munich's Allianz Arena will host the final on May 19 with Bayern in contention for the treble as they face champions Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final on May 12 and are currently just three points behind them in the Bundesliga.