Messi scores his penalty to put Barca in front against AC Milan 

BBC

Lionel Messi was Barcelona's hero yet again as his brace of first-half penalties sealed a Champions League quarter-final win over AC Milan, while Bayern Munich also progressed courtesy of a routine victory over Marseille.

Messi, 24, moved into third on the list of all-time goalscorers in the competition as Barca set up a last-four place against Benfica or Chelsea, reports the BBC.

Milan were briefly level when midfielder Antonio Nocerino steered in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's pass.

But they had no answer after the break with Andres Iniesta adding a third.

And in Germany, Bayern Munich eased into the semi-finals of the Champions League as they brushed Marseille aside.

The German side quickly added to their 2-0 first leg lead when Franck Ribery crossed for Ivica Olic to slot in at the near post.

Toni Kroos powered a shot against the Marseille post before David Alaba crossed for Olic to again sidefoot in.

Bayern were hardly troubled in a routine win and will meet Real Madrid or Apoel Nicosia in the last four.

The facts, figures and form had suggested a Bayern victory and so it proved as the German side booked a second Champions League semi-final berth in three seasons and remained on course for the final, which is to be played at their home ground, the Allianz Arena, on 19 May.

Bayern, four-time winners of Europe's top prize, had won 12 of their last 13 games at home in the Champions League, while Marseille had lost eight of their last nine games going into the tie.

If the French side were to mount an unlikely comeback, it was imperative they took any chances that came their way as manager Didier Deschamps wanted controlled aggression from his side rather than a gung-ho approach.

But, after Loic Remy created an early opening for himself by making space for a shot which he powered straight into the arms of keeper Manuel Neuer, Marseille wasted a gilt-edged chance.

Jeremy Morel had a clear sight of goal from 10 yards only to have his poor sidefooted effort blocked by Neuer's legs.

The miss proved pivotal as Bayern immediately went up the other end and punished the French side as ex-Marseille winger Ribery surged into the visitors's box before sliding over a cross for Olic to ease in.

Marseille had been big underdogs to start with and their bark quickly lost its bite as it became a case of how many Bayern, who had left top scorer Mario Gomez and winger Arjen Robben on the bench, would score.

Keeper Steve Mandanda and the woodwork were the main barriers keeping Bayern at bay as the Marseille stopper fended away a venomous Anatoliy Tymoshchuk volley and Kroos thundered a shot against the post.

Ribery looked in the mood against his former club and he broke away to release Alaba, who crossed for Olic to slot in his second.