Messi gives Barcelona 2-0 win over 10-man Madrid

Madrid: Lionel Messi lit up an ill-tempered Champions League semifinal yesterday with two goals in the last 15 minutes to give Barcelona a 2-0 victory at 10-man Real Madrid.

Messi guided substitute Ibrahim Afellay’s cross through the legs of goalkeeper Iker Casillas to open the scoring in the 76th minute.

With three minutes to play, the elusive Argentina forward brilliantly ghosted past three defenders before clipping the ball past Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas for his 52nd goal of the season, and 11th in the Champions League.

Barcelona dominated throughout but only managed to break through after Pepe was red-carded in the 61st at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands for protesting the decision, which left Madrid playing with 10 against Barcelona for the fourth straight game.