Barcelona v AC Milan
Messi 5′, 40′ Villa 55′ Alba 90′
- FT 90 +4
- HT 2-0
- (agg 4 - 2)
Barcelona made Champions League history by knocking out AC Milan to reach the quarter-finals.
First-half goals from Lionel Messi plus David Villa and Jordi Alba's second-half strikes made Barca the first side to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit without help from an away goal.
Barca v AC Milan at a glance
- No side had ever come back from a two-goal first-leg defeat without the benefit of an away goal before Barcelona's result
- AC Milan's 4-0 defeat equalled their heaviest ever loss in the competition
- Barcelona are now undefeated in 20 home games in the Champions League
Messi scored on five minutes, adding a second just before the break after Milan's M'Baye Niang had hit a post.
Villa then put Barca ahead before Alba sealed the win in injury time.
"We will remember this for years to come," said Barca sporting director and former Spain goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta.
"Messi's two goals put us in a strong position, Villa's was very important and Alba gave everyone exactly what they wanted with the fourth."
For all of Milan's excellence in the San Siro a fortnight ago, the kind of incision Barcelona have become renowned had been absent as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat.
Match stats
Barcelona | AC Milan | |
---|---|---|
4 |
Goals |
0 |
65% |
Possession |
35% |
730 |
Attempted passes |
387 |
573 |
Completed passes |
238 |
78.5% |
Pass completion rate |
61.5% |
10 |
Attempts on target |
3 |
4 |
Attempts off target |
3 |
6 |
Corners |
3 |
2 |
Offsides |
5 |
6 |
Fouls committed |
19 |
1 |
Yellow cards |
3 |
0 |
Red cards |
0 |
Coupled with successive Spanish Cup and league losses to rivals Real Madrid, plus continuing doubts about the health of coach Tito Vilanova, questions were being asked about their future.
But Barca's usual zip returned on the vast Nou Camp pitch as they started the game at high tempo.
Such intensity was rewarded almost immediately as Messi played a neat one-two with Xavi before finding the top corner with a left-foot shot that left goalkeeper Christian Abbiati rooted to the spot.
The goal was the Argentine's 52nd of the season but his first in open play in 10 meetings with Italian sides.
In the first leg, Milan's tight, disciplined display left no gaps for their opponents to run through. At the Nou Camp, Barca were granted too much space on the edge of the penalty area.
The Italians survived two penalty appeals and a poor headed attempt by Messi before the tie's key moments came with just over five minutes of the first half remaining.
First, Milan striker Niang struck the woodwork after racing through on goal following a swift counter-attack from a Barca corner.
Then, Milan's advantage from the first leg was wiped out moments later as Messi fizzed in an unstoppable shot from 20-yards after Massimo Ambrosini lost possession.
Barcelona striker David Villa“When you go through a night like this, all of the bad days are forgotten. We do not care who we get in the quarter-finals.”
Barca continued on the front foot after the interval and went ahead on aggregate for the first time when Villa finished clinically after he was picked out in the box by Xavi. The goal owed much to left-back Kevin Constant's rash attempt to intercept the pass before it reached the striker.
The visitors now knew they had to score to stand any chance of progression, prompting head coach Massimiliano Allegri to bring on former Manchester City striker Robinho.
This change nearly produced the breakthrough the Serie A side were looking for.
Barca youth product and fellow substitute Bojan Krkic put in a low centre that Robinho seemed certain to convert before defender Alba dived across to block the shot.
Alba then sealed a memorable win by slotting past Abbiati after a wonderful counter-attack following a Milan free-kick.
Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)
Barcelona
- 01 Valdes
- 02 Alves
- 03 Pique
- 18 Alba
- 06 Xavi
- 08 Iniesta
- 10 Messi
- 14 Mascherano (Puyol - 77' )
- 16 Busquets
- 07 Villa (Sanchez - 74' )
- 17 Pedro Booked (Adriano Correia - 83' )
Substitutes
- 13 Pinto
- 05 Puyol
- 21 Adriano Correia
- 04 Fabregas
- 25 Song
- 09 Sanchez
- 37 Cristian Tello
AC Milan
- 32 Abbiati
- 05 Mexes Booked
- 17 Zapata
- 10 Boateng Booked
- 16 Flamini Booked (Bojan - 75' )
- 18 Montolivo
- 20 Abate
- 21 Constant
- 23 Ambrosini (Muntari - 60' )
- 92 El Shaarawy
- 19 Niang (Robinho - 60' )
Substitutes
- 01 Amelia
- 02 De Sciglio
- 25 Bonera
- 04 Muntari
- 08 Nocerino
- 07 Robinho
- 22 Bojan
Live Text Commentary
Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.
90:00 +2:54Effort from the edge of the area by Philippe Mexes goes wide of the right-hand post.
90:00 +1:25Assist by Alexis Sanchez.
90:00 +1:25 Goal scoredGoal - Ramos Jordi Alba - Barcelona 4 - 0 AC Milan Ramos Jordi Alba finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Barcelona 4 (4)-(2) 0 AC Milan.
90:00 +0:52Carles Puyol challenges De Souza Robinho unfairly and gives away a free kick. De Souza Robinho takes the free kick.
89:38The referee blows for offside. Carles Puyol takes the direct free kick.
88:36Corner taken short by Lionel Messi.
86:58The offside flag is raised against De Souza Robinho. Victor Valdes takes the direct free kick.
86:44Krkic Bojan takes a shot. Ramos Jordi Alba gets a block in.
83:36Unfair challenge on Claro Adriano by Kevin-Prince Boateng results in a free kick. Hernandez Xavi restarts play with the free kick.
82:51 SubstitutionSubstitution Claro Adriano comes on in place of Rodriguez Pedro.
81:49A cross is delivered by Krkic Bojan, De Souza Robinho gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Victor Valdes. Victor Valdes takes the free kick.
81:37Short corner taken by Krkic Bojan from the left by-line.
81:14Krkic Bojan sends in a cross, De Souza Robinho takes a shot. Ramos Jordi Alba gets a block in.
79:33Da Silva Dani Alves gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephan El Shaarawy. Direct free kick taken by Philippe Mexes.
77:05Inswinging corner taken by Hernandez Xavi from the left by-line, save made by Christian Abbiati.
76:56 SubstitutionSubstitution Carles Puyol comes on in place of Javier Mascherano.
75:29Ignazio Abate is caught offside. Victor Valdes takes the direct free kick.
73:43 SubstitutionSubstitution Mathieu Flamini leaves the field to be replaced by Krkic Bojan.
73:43 SubstitutionSubstitution Alexis Sanchez replaces David Villa.
Unfair challenge on Lionel Messi by Cristian Zapata results in a free kick. Lionel Messi produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
70:46Kevin-Prince Boateng is caught offside. Javier Mascherano takes the free kick.
68:12Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Villa by Kevin Constant. Direct free kick taken by Hernandez Xavi.
67:11Kevin-Prince Boateng takes a shot. Blocked by Mathieu Flamini.
66:34David Villa challenges Kevin Constant unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Christian Abbiati.
65:27A cross is delivered by Ignazio Abate.
64:25Unfair challenge on Ignazio Abate by Rodriguez Pedro results in a free kick. Cristian Zapata takes the free kick.
63:14Riccardo Montolivo challenges Andres Iniesta unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Andres Iniesta.
62:01Sulley Muntari concedes a free kick for a foul on Lionel Messi. Direct free kick taken by Lionel Messi.
61:31Lionel Messi produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.
60:36Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin Constant on David Villa. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Lionel Messi from right wing, Sulley Muntari manages to make a clearance.
59:43 SubstitutionSubstitution Sulley Muntari joins the action as a substitute, replacing Massimo Ambrosini.
59:43 SubstitutionSubstitution De Souza Robinho joins the action as a substitute, replacing M'Baye Niang.
54:35Assist on the goal came from Hernandez Xavi.
54:35 Goal scoredGoal - David Villa - Barcelona 3 - 0 AC Milan David Villa grabs a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Barcelona 3 (3)-(2) 0 AC Milan.
53:17Direct free kick taken by Lionel Messi.
53:17 BookingBooking Booking for Philippe Mexes for unsporting behaviour.
53:14Unfair challenge on Lionel Messi by Philippe Mexes results in a free kick.
51:53Outswinging corner taken by M'Baye Niang from the right by-line played to the near post, Effort from deep inside the area by Kevin-Prince Boateng misses to the right of the goal.
51:41The ball is delivered by M'Baye Niang, Ramos Jordi Alba gets a block in.
49:07Unfair challenge on Lionel Messi by Massimo Ambrosini results in a free kick. Hernandez Xavi takes the free kick.
47:52Unfair challenge on Andres Iniesta by Massimo Ambrosini results in a free kick. Andres Iniesta takes the free kick.
47:11Lionel Messi takes a shot. Comfortable save by Christian Abbiati.
45:01The match restarts for the second half.
45:00 +1:21 BookingBooking Caution for Mathieu Flamini.
45:00 +1:13 Half timeHalf Time The match has reached half-time.
45:00 +1:07Rodriguez Pedro fouled by Mathieu Flamini, the ref awards a free kick.
44:38The assistant referee flags for offside against David Villa. Christian Abbiati takes the free kick.
44:19The ball is delivered by da Silva Dani Alves, Cristian Zapata manages to make a clearance.
43:12Da Silva Dani Alves fouled by Kevin Constant, the ref awards a free kick. Lionel Messi restarts play with the free kick.
42:12M'Baye Niang concedes a free kick for a foul on Andres Iniesta. Andres Iniesta takes the direct free kick.
40:50Free kick taken by Cristian Zapata.
40:50 BookingBooking Rodriguez Pedro booked for unsporting behaviour.
40:48Ignazio Abate fouled by Rodriguez Pedro, the ref awards a free kick.
39:08Andres Iniesta provided the assist for the goal.
39:08 Goal scoredGoal - Lionel Messi - Barcelona 2 - 0 AC Milan Lionel Messi fires in a goal from just outside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Barcelona 2 (2)-(2) 0 AC Milan.
38:02Shot by M'Baye Niang from inside the box bounces off the post.
37:22Outswinging corner taken by Hernandez Xavi from the right by-line, clearance made by Cristian Zapata.
37:06The ball is delivered by da Silva Dani Alves, M'Baye Niang makes a clearance.
34:11Effort from outside the penalty box by da Silva Dani Alves goes wide left of the target.
33:31Stephan El Shaarawy takes a shot. Save made by Victor Valdes.
32:45A cross is delivered by Lionel Messi, blocked by Philippe Mexes.
30:45Da Silva Dani Alves sends in a cross, Cristian Zapata makes a clearance.
30:20Kevin Constant concedes a free kick for a foul on Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi takes the free kick.
29:32M'Baye Niang delivers the ball, Stephan El Shaarawy has an effort at goal.
27:42Free kick awarded for a foul by da Silva Dani Alves on Kevin Constant. Direct free kick taken by Philippe Mexes.
24:40Da Silva Dani Alves sends in a cross, Header by Rodriguez Pedro from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.
21:52Gerard Pique restarts play with the free kick.
21:52 BookingBooking Kevin-Prince Boateng goes into the book.
21:46Kevin-Prince Boateng concedes a free kick for a foul on Andres Iniesta.
21:17Centre by Sergio Busquets, Kevin Constant gets a block in.
19:53Free kick awarded for a foul by Massimo Ambrosini on Lionel Messi. Hernandez Xavi takes the free kick.
18:15Hernandez Xavi takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Massimo Ambrosini.
17:05Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Hernandez Xavi played to the near post, clearance made by Kevin Constant.
16:55Centre by Lionel Messi, clearance by Kevin Constant.
16:28Hernandez Xavi takes a short corner.
16:11Hernandez Xavi takes a shot. Save made by Christian Abbiati.
14:59Corner taken by Stephan El Shaarawy.
12:28Andres Iniesta takes a shot. Save by Christian Abbiati. Lionel Messi has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the goal.
8:53Da Silva Dani Alves crosses the ball, save by Christian Abbiati.
8:10Stephan El Shaarawy takes a shot. Victor Valdes makes a comfortable save.
7:45M'Baye Niang concedes a free kick for a foul on Gerard Pique. Gerard Pique restarts play with the free kick.
6:05Centre by da Silva Dani Alves, clearance by Massimo Ambrosini.
4:45Assist on the goal came from Hernandez Xavi.
4:45 Goal scoredGoal - Lionel Messi - Barcelona 1 - 0 AC Milan Lionel Messi fires in a goal from the edge of the area to the top left corner of the goal. Barcelona 1 (1)-(2) 0 AC Milan.
4:17Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sergio Busquets by Kevin-Prince Boateng. Sergio Busquets restarts play with the free kick.
0:00The referee gets the match started.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association
Comments
Jump to comments paginationAll posts are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules.
More from Football
Elsewhere on the BBC
-
Watch video Jazzed up
A global boss explains the parallels of being a successful pianist and businessman
-
Comment number 379.
George14th March 2013 - 13:41
#machman
What happened to the Celtic execution and planning v Juve? BTW congratulations to Celtic for the distinction of being the only last 16 team not to score a goal
Report this comment (Comment number 379)
Link to this (Comment number 379)
Comment number 378.
SirDion14th March 2013 - 0:38
@144 "Messi is a amazing world class player, but yes i do believe he is overrated. He has only proven himself playing in 1 league which lacks depth."
Pele won 3 world cups with some of the greatest Brazilian sides.. aside from that he scored 00's of goals for Santos in a "conference league" yet he is always in the mix for GOAT without question. if anything Pele is overrated and messi underated!
Report this comment (Comment number 378)
Link to this (Comment number 378)
Comment number 377.
Missed the bandwagon13th March 2013 - 22:46
So Celtic destroyed Barcelona 2-1 and Barcelona destroyed Ac Milan 4-0 so if Celtic hadn't been cheated out of three penalties against Juventus, they would have beaten Ac Milan AT LEAST 8-0.
Report this comment (Comment number 377)
Link to this (Comment number 377)
Comment number 376.
Basserwatch13th March 2013 - 22:26
All the great teams play possession football, Barcelona, Spain, Brazil etc. I could watch Barcelona play all day.
Report this comment (Comment number 376)
Link to this (Comment number 376)
Comment number 375.
The_Playmaker13th March 2013 - 22:13
If Messi keeps this up he might be considered as good as King Kenny one day!
Report this comment (Comment number 375)
Link to this (Comment number 375)
Comments 5 of 379