MX23RW : Friday, November 8 18:02:18| >> :60:340:340:

Barcelona 3-1 AC Milan (3-1 on aggregate)

Barcelona advance to a Champions League semi-final against either Chelsea or Benfica after overcoming the challenge of AC Milan at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona have advanced to the semi-finals of the Champions League after seeing off AC Milan at the Nou Camp this evening.

The hosts took an 11th-minute lead when Lionel Messi stole the ball from Philippe Mexes before breaking clear. The Argentinian chose not to shoot and square to Xavi Hernandez, who returned to Messi before he was brought down for a penalty by Luca Antonini.

Christian Abbiati guessed right but Messi's penalty was too close to the corner to save and the forward notched his 50th Champions League goal.

Milan equalised just after the half-hour mark when Robinho escaped the challenge of Carles Puyol, laid to Zlatan Ibrahimovic to find the unmarked Antonio Nocerino to slot home.

Barca restored their lead before the break again from the spot and again through Messi after Alessandro Nesta was adjudged to have tugged Sergio Busquets. Messi stepped up and put his penalty in the other corner to make Pep Guardiola's half-time team talk a little easier.

The defending European champions resumed their dominance after the interval and extended their advantage eight minutes into the half when Messi saw his shot blocked but fortunately the ball fell to Andres Iniesta, who was patient before sweeping past Abbiati.

Barca should have extended their lead further when substitute Thiago Alcantara was put through on goal but the midfielder screwed his left-foot effort wide of the far post.

Guardiola's men will take on the winner of the Chelsea-Benfica semi-final. Roberto Di Matteo's Blues take a one-goal lead to Stamford Bridge tomorrow following last week's triumph in Lisbon.

ID:22433: cacheID:22433:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3808:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Xavi
Read Next:
Team News: Xavi passed fit for Barcelona
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!