- Barcelona beat Milan 3-1 to secure a Champions League semifinal spot
- Lionel Messi scored two penalties to set up a tie against Chelsea or Benfica
- The penalties saw Messi pass 50 goals in European competition
- Bayern Munich eased into the semis with a 2-0 victory over Marseille
(CNN) -- Barcelona booked their place in the European Champions League semifinal after convincingly beating A.C. Milan 3-1 on Tuesday, but the victory didn't come without its controversies.
Inevitably, it was Barcelona's Lionel Messi who was center stage scoring two first half penalties -- his 50th and 51st in the Champions League - that set the Catalan club on their way,
Milan, however, will bitterly contest both spot kicks.
The first saw Messi win, and then convert, a penalty in the 11th minute after Luca Antonini clipped the diminutive striker's heels.
Milan equalized through Antonio Nocerino, briefly putting the Italians through on away goals if the score stayed that way.
But a second penalty was awarded after the veteran Italian international Alessandro Nesta was controversially adjudged to have tugged Sergio Busquets' shirt.
In the end Andrei Iniesta's second half goal -- inevitably set up by Messi -- put clear blue water between Barcelona and Milan
The victory sets up a semifinal date with either Chelsea or Benfica, who play Wednesday, but all eyes will be on a possible 'dream final' between Barcelon and Real Madrid in Munich on May 19.
Not everyone wants to see an all-Spanish final.
Bayern Munich ran out convincing 4-0 aggregate winners against French side Marseille after winning 2-0 at the Allianz Arena in Germany, where the final will take place. Two first half goals from Ivica Olic put the tie beyond Marseille, giving the German side hope of enjoying home advantage next month.
Unless Cypriot underdogs APOEL Nicosia can overcome a three goal deficit against Real Madrid Wednesday, Bayern will likely face Jose Mourinho's side in the semifinals.
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