Brawl instead of “clásico” in the third chapter in the epic spring quadrology between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Only the two-Messi goals do not match the ugliness of the semi-final first leg of the Champions League. Barcelona, ​​after the 2-0 plan for the final.

With a brace is world footballer Lionel Messi FC Barcelona 2-0 (0-0) paved the hate summit at Real Madrid the way to the final of the Champions League.

LIONEL MESSI hit a brilliant double to take Barcelona to the brink of the Champions League Final after an explosive battle at the Bernabeu.

The Argentine ace brought his tally for the season to 52 goals to settle a stormy semi-final first-leg clash that saw Real boss Jose Mourinho and two players sent off.

Madrid defender Pepe walked for a second-half challenge on Dani Alves and Barca’s reserve keeper Jose Pinto was red-carded for his part in a half-time
bust-up involving players and backroom staff from both clubs.

Video: Real Madrid: 0 – Barcelona: 2

Referee Wolfgang Stark was escorted off the pitch at the end of the match by police using riot shields to protect him from bottles being hurled from the stands.

And Stark almost sent off Real midfielder Xabi Alonso after the final whistle, telling him to get inside and calm down or face a red card.

UEFA officials ordered both teams to their dressing rooms for a cooling-off period before being allowed to give media interviews.

This was the third El Clasico meeting in 12 days following the 1-1 La Liga draw and Real’s 1-0 Copa Del Rey Final victory and it proved that familiarity really does breed contempt.

With Mourinho – whose side have failed to finish with 11 men in any of the four meetings of the Spanish superpowers this season – opting for a war of attrition, the tension built in a niggly first half

It simmered over in the half-time melee that resulted in Pinto being red-carded then continued after the break when Pepe walked and Mourinho followed him for his reaction to the decision.

As they departed, so did Real’s chances of booking a place in the Wembley final as Messi took charge.

He steered substitute Ibrahim Afellay’s cross through the legs of keeper Iker Casillas to open the scoring in the 76th minute and then coasted past three defenders before unleashing his second three minutes from the end of play.

Barca had dominated possession from the start but the first half was a cagey affair with Madrid content to let their opponents 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 Casillas with a well-struck volley early on and had another chance in the 24th minute after latching on to a pass from Messi. 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 keeper 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 tense first half, there was a melee between the sides as they entered the tunnel that resulted in Pinto’s red card.

Mourinho decided to switch things at the break, taking off Ozil and sending on Emmanuel Adebayor.

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. However, much worse was to follow for Madrid.

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.

He was stretchered off but returned to the field a short time later and finished the match.

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 Messi got into his stride.

His brilliant second with three minutes remaining left Barca with one foot in the final. The Argentina ace picked up the ball about 30 yards out and dribbled past several Madrid defenders at pace before sliding a right-footed shot past Casillas

Champions League Preview and Highlights

Chelsea will be keen to get back to winning ways against Marseille in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, while Arsenal face a tricky trip to Partizan Belgrade.

Chelsea have suffered back-to-back defeats in domestic action and will want to address that stumble when they welcome former star Didier Deschamps and his Marseille side to Stamford Bridge, in a game which can be seen live on Sky Sports HD 2 & 2.

The other game in Group F on Matchday Two sees Spartak Moscow take on Slovakian minnows MSK Zilina, with events in the Russian capital due to get underway at 5.30pm.

Arsenal, like Chelsea, have seen their bright start to the season suffer a slight hitch, following a setback against West Brom on Saturday, and they will need to handle a highly-charged atmosphere away at Partizan Belgrade in their latest outing.

Braga were given a harsh European lesson by the Gunners in their opening encounter of the group stages and the Portuguese outfit need to raise their game if they are to avoid a similar fate against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Heavyweight

Group G throws up another heavyweight encounter in midweek, with former winners Ajax and AC Milan set to lock horns in a glamour encounter in Amsterdam.

The other tie in that group sees Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, who are yet to hit top gear this season, head to France to take on an Auxerre outfit that has endured a torrid start to the 2010/11 campaign.

Last season’s runners-up Bayern Munich got off to a winning start in their efforts to go one better this time around and Louis van Gaal will be looking for another three-point haul away at FC Basel.

Finally, faltering Roma will be looking to avoid a repeat of their shock defeat on home soil against CFR Cluj from 2008 when the two sides renew acquaintances at Stadio Olimpico.