Messi fires Barça past Milan into semi-finals

Lionel Messi scored twice from the penalty spot to help put holders Barcelona into the Champions League semi-finals after a thrilling 3-1 victory over AC Milan at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

The World Player of the Year put Barça ahead with his first penalty after only 11 minutes, setting the competition scoring record for a season with his 13th goal of the campaign.

Antonio Nocerino pulled one back for Milan, who had held Barcelona to a 0-0 draw in last week's first leg, but Messi restored the lead again from the spot just before the end of a breathless first half.

The majestic Argentine helped set up the third goal for Andres Iniesta after the restart and Barça closed the game down from then on to become only the second team to reach five consecutive Champions League semi-finals.