Lionel Messi put on a masterclass as Barcelona gained a valuable 2-0 advantage over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final.In a spiteful encounter at the Bernabeu, Messi proved the matchwinner with a brilliant second-half double on Wednesday.
He grabbed his first in the 76th minute from close range, managing to connect onto Ibrahim Afellay’s cross to down Jose Mourinho’s men’s spirits.
The Argentine then doubled the advantage 11 minutes later when he skipped past three defenders before he placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ reach.
Messi’s two goals means he has notched 52 goals in all competitions for the Catalans, eclipsing Cristiano Ronaldo’s 42-goal haul for Manchester United in 2007/08.
The game however was blighted by a half-time fracas that saw Barcelona reserve keeper Jose Manuel Pinto shown his marching orders.
Real Madrid’s Pepe, who was fielded in front of the defence, also saw red – in somewhat harsh circumstances – for his lunge on Brazilian Dani Alves in the 61st minute.
A frustrated Mourinho was also brandished the red card for his persistent remonstrations with the fourth official over Pepe’s sending off.
The second leg will be played at the Camp Nou next Tuesday.
More to follow