Messi scores twice for Barcelona

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (centre) celebrates victory over AC Milan with team-mates Andres Iniesta (left) and Sergio Busquets after their Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (centre) celebrates victory over AC Milan with team-mates Andres Iniesta (left) and Sergio Busquets after their Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.

Published Mar 13, 2013

Share

Barcelona - Barcelona pulled off a remarkable Champions League comeback when Lionel Messi scored twice in a thrilling 4-0 victory at home to AC Milan on Tuesday that sent the Spanish club through to the last eight 4-2 on aggregate.

Trailing from last month's last 16, first leg at the San Siro, Barca were ahead in the fifth minute at a raucous Nou Camp thanks to Messi's brilliant curling effort and the World Player of the Year levelled the tie on aggregate five minutes before halftime with a powerful low drive.

Barcelona ruthlessly dominated their Italian visitors, who struggled to get the ball out of their own half for long periods, and David Villa struck a third for the hosts 10 minutes after the break before Jordi Alba killed off Milan with a breakaway goal in the second minute of added time.

Barca are the first team in the Champions League to ever overturn a two-goal first leg deficit without the benefit of an away goal while only four sides had successfully fought back from a deficit of more than one goal. - Reuters

Related Topics: