It did not take long for the magical Lionel Messi to rip AC Milan's first-leg exertions to tatters as Barcelona reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Argentine superstar struck twice to cancel out the Italian side's 2-0 advantage and David Villa added a third to delight the Nou Camp faithful.
Jordi Alba then put the cherry on the cake with a late fourth as AC Milan tried in vain to get the goal they needed.


Ecstasy: Gerard Pique roars with delight after Messi's second put the teams level on aggregate
Match facts
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa.
Subs: Pinto, Fabregas, Puyol, Sanchez, Adriano, Song, Tello.
AC Milan: Abbiati, Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Constant, Montolivo, Ambrosini, Flamini, Niang, Boateng, El Shaarawy.
Subs: Amelia, De Sciglio, Muntari, Robinho, Nocerino, Bojan, Bonera.
Ref: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
Messi's first was something of beauty - an exquisite curled finish in to the top left corner from outside the box.
His second could perhaps have been saved by Abbiati, but the keeper had no chance with Villa's effort.
It could all have been so different for Milan if M'Baye Niang had finished when clean through on goal - instead his effort hit the left-hand upright.
More to follow.

Poise: Messi bent the ball home from the edge of the box to get the scoring underway

Great start: Before long Barcelona, thanks to Messi, had wiped out Milan's first leg advantage

Under siege: Abbiati pummels the ball away as Barcelona turned up the pressure

Company: Messi is surrounded by Milan players but still manages to find a way to score

At the double: Messi's second goal squeezes past Abbiati's outstretched left arm

Pulling the strings: Xavi (left) was at his influential best as Barcelona dominated possession

Shackled... or not: Milan tried to keep Messi under wraps but failed miserably

Easy does it: Villa steers home the third with panache

Watching on: Jordi Roura takes care of Barcelona in the absence of Tito Vilanova

In tatters: Abbiati rages as Villa and Co celebrate their third goal of the night

Perfect show: Villa celebrates in front of Barcelona's delighted fans after his superbly taken goal

Spotted: Ronnie Wood (of Rolling Stones fame) was seen in the crowd with wife Sally

We're a team! Barcelona fans' message of unity for their players ahead of the clash
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