Champions League final video highlights 2011
Lionel Messi scored once in each half today as Barcelona beat 10-man Arsenal 3-1 to reach the Champions League quarterfinals 4-3 on aggregate.
Messi made it 1-0 in first-half injury time at the Nou Camp, receiving a pass in the area from Andres Iniesta and flicking the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Manuel Almunia before dispatching it into the net.
Arsenal, which didn't have a shot on goal all game, leveled when Barcelona defender Sergio Busquets headed the ball into his own net in the 53rd, forcing the hosts to score twice more to advance outright.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Robin van Persie received a second yellow card in the 56th.
The Netherlands striker was booked for time-wasting by kicking the ball away, but he was livid at the dismissal and indicated that he hadn't heard the whistle due to the noise from the 95,000-plus crowd.
Backup Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia came on in the 19th to replace Wojciech Szczesny, who dislocated a finger, and the Spaniard denied David Villa three times before Xavi Hernandez made it 2-1 and 3-3 overall in the 69th minute.
Villa guided Iniesta's short pass into the path of Xavi as he ran into the area, the Spain midfielder firing a shot that took a deflection off an Arsenal player before going into the net.
Barcelona continued to string together numerous short passes and create chances. Xavi played in Pedro Rodriguez, who was tripped inside by Laurent Koscielny.
Messi converted the resulting 71st-minute penalty for his 45th goal of the season and a club-record 33rd in Europe, eclipsing Rivaldo's mark.
Barcelona wasted several more chances - the hosts had 19 shots on goal for the match - before Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner had a late opportunity to put his team through but Javier Mascherano tackled the player in the box.
It is the second straight season Barcelona has knocked out Arsenal in the Champions League after beating the London club in the quarterfinals last year.
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For videos, live commentary and plenty of build up action for the 2011 Champions League Final from Wembley visit VIDEO LIVE UPDATES: 2011 Champions League Final, Manchester United Vs FC Barcelona, Wembley Stadium.
source: newshub archive
