Barcelona vs AC Milan final score 3-1: Messi’s two goals lead Barca to win

Jul 13, 2013; Harrison, NJ, USA; A general view of soccer balls on the field prior to game between the New York Red Bulls and the Montreal Impact at Red Bulls Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Barcelona hosted AC Milan in Champions League group play on Wednesday. It was the fourth game of group play. These two sides tied in their previous match in a little over two weeks ago. Barcelona came into the game ahead of the group and looked eager to stay there from the get go.

In the 30th minute, Ignazio Abate of AC Milan got a yellow card for a foul on Neymar in the box. It looked like Neymar fell rather easily, but there was no denying that Abate’s arm was across Neymar’s chest as he was trying to keep up.

Lionel Messi lined up to take the penalty and converted to give Barcelona the lead. It was also Messi’s first goal in over 300 minutes, ending a goalless streak.

Minutes late, Sergio Busquets put a header in the back of the net from the center of the box. The header went into the top right corner of the goal. Xavi’s cross following a set piece situation gave him the assist on the goal.

Barcelona looked poised to take a commanding 2-0 lead into the half. Kaka sends in a pass in front of the goal following a long run. The ball hits Gerard Pique’s leg and goes into the goal to bring Milan within one goal in the 45th minute. Pique was credited with an own goal.

Mario Balotelli started the game on the bench but came on at the beginning of the second half. His presence was immediately felt as he pressured the Barcelona defense and made their keeper Victor Valdes make a save.

There was an exciting moment later in the game when Neymar got  a quality shot on goal. He took the shot from the center of the box byt sent it over the top right corner. Neymar has yet to score in this competition. Moments later though, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez took a shot but it was saved.

In the 83rd minute Lionel Messi scored on a beautiful play. He was running into the box from midfield and got a beautiful pass from Cesc Fábregas and took a left footed shot from the center of the box to the high center of the goal. That gave Barcelona a dominating 3-1 lead and eventually the win. This gave Barcelona a solid lead in the game heading into the last couple of games in group play.