BARCELONA: Argentinian star Lionel Messi’s first ever four goal haul saw holders Barcelona reach the Champions League semi-finals here on Tuesday in a 4-1 defeat of Arsenal in their quarter-final second leg clash to win 6-3 on aggregate. The 22-year-old world player of the year — who went into the match with three hat-tricks already in 2010 — destroyed Arsenal after Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner had briefly given the visitors hope with the opening goal. Bendtner scored on the counter-attack after 18 minutes, but then Messi stole the show with a hat-trick before half-time and a late strike two minutes before the end. Following Arsenal’s dramatic come-back to finish 2-2 in the first leg, the return at the Nou Camp was eagerly awaited and the anticipation ahead of the game was in no way dampened by the number of key players absent. Arsenal took the lead in practically their first attack. Theo Walcott burst clear down the right wing and crossed for Bendtner. While the Danes shot was smothered at close range by keeper Victor Valdes, Bendtner was up first to slot the ball home. The 98,000 capacity crowd was stunned into silence but they needn’t have worried because in Messi they have a player with exceptional talent who rose to the occasion. Just two minutes later with the Arsenal defence failing to clear their lines, Messi fired the ball past the outstretched arms of Manuel Almunia. Messi had moved up a gear and put Barca into the lead after 36 minutes. Having been set up 12 yards out by Pedro Rodriguez he slipped past Gael Clichy before scoring from close range. It was almost a single-handed performance as Messi latched onto a header from Seydou Keita in midfield and through on goal clipped the ball over the keeper for the third. The Argentine star wrapped up his match winning performance by tucking the ball past Almunia from a tight angle.

Inter ease into semi-finals

MOSCOW: Colourful Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho became the first man to guide three different clubs to the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday as Italian champions Inter Milan defeated CSKA Moscow 1-0 (2-0 on aggregate). An early goal by Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder set them on their way for their first appearance in the last four in seven years. Their task was made easier when Nigerian Chidi Odiah was sent-off early in the second-half for a second bookable offence. Mourinho, who has previously taken Porto and then Chelsea to the last four with the former winning the trophy under him in 2004, could be joined as a coach to have taken three different sides to the last four by Dutchman Louis van Gaal if Bayern Munich beat Manchester United.