Barcelona advanced to the final four of the Champions League after registering a comfortable 3-1 win over AC Milan, in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, on Tuesday evening. The Italians were undone primarily by two first-half penalties.
Barcelona, who started attacking right from the start, took an early lead in the 11th minute via Argentine star Lionel Messi who won a penalty after being foolishly tackled by Italian defender Luca Antonini.
AC Milan got right back into the game in the 32th minute via some brilliant play by Brazilian striker Robinho, who managed to find Ibrahimovic. The Swede then passed the ball to Antonio Nocerino, who calmly slotted the ball past Victor Valdes.
AC Milan's happiness was short-lived however. They conceded their second penalty of the evening (again easily converted by Messi) when Italian centre-back Alessandro Nesta was adjudged to be guilty of pulling shirts during a Barcelona corner.
The Italian champions' hopes of somehow socring a second goal and making it to the Champions League semi-finals on the away goals rule were crushed in the 53rd minute, when Andres Iniesta scored the Catalans' third of the evening.
Barcelona win 3-1 on aggregate.
Check out these photos capturing the two teams in action:
Barcelona's Iniesta scores past AC Milan goalkeeper Abbiati during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersBarcelona's Messi evades AC Milan's Mexes, Nesta and Nocerino during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersBarcelona's Alves, AC Milan's goalkeeper Abbiati and Nesta challenge for the ball during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersBarcelona's Fabregas and AC Milan's Ambrosini challenge for the ball during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersBarcelona's Messi advances through AC Milan's Mexes, Ambrosini and Nocerino during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersAC Milan's Nocerino evades Barcelona's Cuenca to score past goalkeeper Valdes during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersAC Milan's Nocerino celebrates with team mates Seedorf, Ibrahimovic, Boateng and Abate after scoring against Barcelona during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersBarcelona's Messi scores a penalty goal past AC Milan's goalkeeper Abbiati during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersBarcelona's Messicelebrates with Puyol, Alves and Fabregas after scoring a penalty against AC Milan during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersBarcelona's Valdes embraces AC Milan's Robinho during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Barcelona.ReutersAC Milan's Ibrahimovic tries to score past Barcelona's goalkeeper Valdes during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in BarcelonaReutersAC Milan coach Allegri shouts instructions to his players during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match against Barcelona in BarcelonaReuters
