Lionel Messi scored two first-half penalties in a 3-1 win over AC Milan at the Nou Camp Tuesday to propel holders Barcelona to a fifth successive Champions League semi-final. Messi's brace in the quarter-final second leg took him to 51 Champions League goals - at 24 the youngest player to achieve the half century landmark - and a record total this season of 14, bettering the previous mark held by himself and Ruud van Nistelrooy of 12.
Andres Iniesta's well-taken goal early in the second-half wrapped up the match and they will face wither Chelsea or Benfica in the semi-finals as they bid to become the first team to retain the trophy since it became the Champions League in the 1992/93 season.
Antonio Nocerino had pulled a goal back for Milan to level briefly in the first-half but in the end there was no stopping Barcelona emulating the great Real Madrid side of the 1950's in reaching five successive semi-finals. Barcelona's 3-1 win saw them comfortably through to the semis after a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Italy.
The Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri and players hit out at the referee over the penalty decisions but Barca coach Pep Guardiola claimed that they were clear cut. "They were two penalties, if you pull someone in the area then that is what happens," said Guardiola. The three-time world footballer of the year shot straight at the keeper from the edge of the area and then side footed wide after a delightful link up with Cesc Fabregas.