Messi on the spot for Barca

Argentina ace sees off Milan to reach 50 Champions League goals

Xavi and Clarence Seedorf battle for the ball in midfield

Messi sends Christian Abbiati the wrong way with his second penalty of the night

Andres Iniesta celebrates after netting the crucial third early in the second half

Lionel Messi scored twice from the spot to send Barcelona into the semi-finals

Lionel Messi brought up his half century of UEFA Champions League goals as Barcelona booked their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at Camp Nou.

The Argentina international converted a pair of penalties in the first half to take his tally in Europe's premier club competition to an astonishing 51, becoming the youngest player to reach the milestone at the age of just 24.

After a 0-0 draw in the San Siro, Messi fired the hosts in front with just 11 minutes gone when he drilled low into the corner to Christian Abbiati's right, having been felled by Luca Antonini just at the moment when Milan thought the danger of a lightning break had passed.

Milan stunned Camp Nou when they drew level in the 32nd minute with Antonio Nocerino demonstrating great composure to beat Victor Valdes after being released by a superb threaded pass from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But the Serie A side then shot themselves in the foot with Alessandro Nesta penalised for a blatant pull on Sergio Busquets' shirt, allowing Messi to send Abbiati the wrong way from the spot as he found the opposite bottom corner just before the interval.

Pep Guardiola's side effectively ended the contest early in the second period when Andres Iniesta showed good skill to beat Abbiati from close range after Messi's blocked shot on the edge of the box looped into his path.