HispanicBusiness

Lionel Messi scored two first-half penalties and Andres Iniesta added a third goal after the break as title-holders Barcelona defeated AC Milan 3-1 Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for a fifth successive season.

Bayern Munich also eased into the last four thanks to two Ivica Olic goals in a 2-0 win over Olympique Marseille for a 4-0 aggregate.

Messi's opener from the spot in the 11th minute at the Nou Camp stadium was a record 13 Champions League goals for the season and the 50th of his career in the competition.

The Argentina striker stepped up to the spot after he was brought down in the area by Luca Antonini and slotted the ball to the right of the diving Christian Abbiati.

Milan levelled in the 32nd minute when Zlatan Ibrahimovic fed Antonio Nocerino who slid the ball past keeper Victor Valdes for a potentially important away goal after the two sides finished goalless in Milan.

But Barcelona got back in front four minutes before the break when Alessandro Nesta tugged the shirt of Sergio Busquets at a Barcelona corner kick and referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot and also showed Nesta a yellow card.

This time Messi put his spot kick in the left-hand corner, with Abbiati diving to his right, to make it Champions League goal number 14 for the season. Messi had held the previous record of 12 along with Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Barcelona created a number of chances in the first half, with Messi going close before the first goal after a neat first-time ball by Cesc Fabregas and almost making it a hat-trick a minute before half-time, with Abbiati scrambling to save.

Messi indirectly set up the third goal in the 53rd minute when his shot on the edge of the area was half blocked by Philippe Mexes and the ball deflected to Iniesta who finished from close range.

"When you play against a team like Milan you know the job is never done until you hear the final whistle," Iniesta said.

"We had to work really hard against a great side and we are thrilled to be in the semi-finals. Let's see what happens in tomorrow's game and who we'll face in the next round."

Messi has now drawn level with the record 14 goals scored in a season in the old European Cup by AC Milan's Jose Altafini in the 1962-1963 season. His 51 Champions League goals take him past the 50 scored by Thierry Henry, and only leaves Raul Gonzalez (71) and Van Nistelrooy (56) ahead of him.

Barca have meanwhile equalled Real Madrid's record of five successive European Cup or Champions League semi-finals. Real had their run in the old European Cup between 1956 and 1960.

In Munich, Bayern, hoping to reach the final on their own ground on May 19, eased into the last four and a possible meeting with Real Madrid after Olic bagged a first-half brace.

Olic opened the scoring in the 13th minute after former Marseille player Franck Ribery went round several defenders before squaring to the Croatia striker.

Ribery also began the move which led to the second goal in the 37th minute, passing to David Alaba who then found Olic in front of goal.

Coach Jupp Heynckes rested Dutch winger Arjen Robben, who had a muscle strain, and kept Mario Gomez on the bench because of a slight back problem. The club's leading scorer came on for Olic in the 74th minute but was unable to add to his 11 Champions League goals for the season.

"I told the players we are already in the (German) cup final, can win the league title and reach the semi-final of the Champions League," Heynckes told Sky television.

"I know you have to have something in your hands at the end but it is already a great sucess for the team and the club."

Barcelona's opponents in the last four will be Chelsea or Benfica, with the Premier League side 1-0 up before Wednesday's second-leg match at Stamford Bridge.

In Wednesday's other encounter, Real host APOEL Nicosia, leading 3-0 from the first leg in Cyprus.