Lionel Messi struck twice late on
as Barcelona took a huge step
towards the Champions League
final with a 2-0 semi-final, first
leg win over 10-man Real Madrid
at the Bernabeu.
Messi, taking his tally to 52 in all
competitions this season, netted
in the 76th and 87th minutes -
the second a typically brilliant
solo effort - to settle an ill-
tempered clash which saw Madrid
defender Pepe sent off in the
61st minute.
That incident also saw Madrid
coach Jose Mourinho - who on
Tuesday sparked a war of words
with counterpart Pep Guardiola -
sent to the stands, while Barca
reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto
was also shown a red card
following an incident at half-time.
However, the end result means
Barca, European champions in
2006 and 2009, are now firm
favourites to progress to next
month's final at Wembley.
Barca welcomed back captain
Carles Puyol - who has been
absent for all five of his side's
defeats this season - but the
visitors still had a number of
absentees with Andres Iniesta,
Eric Abidal and Adriano among the
missing.
Madrid, who last week ended
their three-year wait for a
trophy when they beat Barca to
win the Copa del Rey final, were
unable to call on the suspended
Ricardo Carvalho and injured Sami
Khedira.
The first half was a cagey affair
with Madrid content to let Barca
have possession well away from
danger and the visitors unwilling
to commit too many men forward.
That led to Cristiano Ronaldo
showing his frustration at one
point as well as the home fans,
and meant goalscoring chances at
either end were few and far
between.
Xavi tested Iker Casillas with a
well-struck volley early on, while
the Barca schemer also had the
best chance of the opening
period in the 24th minute after
latching onto Lionel Messi's pass.
However, he was again denied by
Spain team-mate Casillas, who
blocked his low shot.
David Villa also saw a low effort
go not far wide as Barca sought
a valuable away goal.
At the other end, Madrid fans
had to wait until just before half-
time to see their side give Barca
goalkeeper Victor Valdes
something to think about.
Ronaldo tried his luck from 25
yards and the ball rebounded
back off Valdes' chest. Mesut Ozil
looked set to net as he followed
up, but Valdes saved his effort
and an offside flag would have
ruled out any goal anyway.
As the players left the field
following an increasingly niggly
first half, there was a melee
between the sides as they
entered the tunnel that resulted
in Pinto receiving a red card.
Mourinho decided to switch things
at the break, taking off Mesut
Ozil and sending on Emmanuel
Adebayor, who scored twice here
in the 4-0 quarter-final, first leg
win over Tottenham.
Both sides had half-chances at
the start of the second period,
with Messi and Ronaldo seeing
efforts blocked, before Madrid
defender Sergio Ramos picked up
a yellow card which rules him out
of the second leg.
Much worse was to follow for
Madrid though as they were
reduced to 10 men when Pepe
was shown a straight red card
following a challenge on Dani Alves
that left the Brazilian writhing in
agony.
That was the fourth time in four
clashes with Barca this season
that Madrid have had a player
sent off, and Mourinho's anger on
the touchline resulted in him
being sent to the stands.
Barca sensed a great opportunity
to take control of the tie and
almost went ahead in the 68th
minute when Villa saw a shot
saved by Casillas and Pedro
headed the rebound inches wide.
And their next opening saw them
take the lead when substitute
Ibrahim Afellay did well to create
space down the right and his low
cross was turned in by Messi
running in at the front post.
Messi was not finished and struck
a brilliant second with three
minutes remaining to leave Barca
with one foot in the final.
The Argentina ace dribbled past
several Madrid defenders at pace
before sliding a right-footed shot
past Casillas.

I watched this match till the end. Is really an interesting one.

C. Ronaldo got frustrated in that match