Champions League

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

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 03 April 2012

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.