Messi almost breaks through after a Milan mistake, but Alessandro Nesta steps in with a crucial challenge just as he’s about to shoot.

Iniesta exchanges a one-two with Messi in the box, but Messi’s return pass is slightly too high and the move runs out of play.

On a swift Barcelona counter, Messi lets fly from the edge of the area, but his low effort is comfortably saved by Christian Abbiati.

Dani Alves crosses and Cesc Fàbregas cushions the ball into Messi’s path, but Messi lashes his shot across the face of goal and wide in a great chance.

Messi races into the box in acres of space, exchanges with Xavi, and as the ball comes back to him Antonini’s reckless slide brings him down to win the penalty.

Messi calmly sends Abbiati the wrong way from the spot, burying his penalty and giving Barcelona the lead.

Messi drives at the Milan defence and is stopped by a firm tackle from Nesta right on the edge of the area as Barcelona continue to dominate.

Messi tries an audacious chipped effort, but his attempt loops harmlessly into Abbiati’s hands.

Fàbregas slides a through ball toward Messi’s run, but the Milan defenders react quickly and cut it out before he can reach it.

From a free-kick, Messi whips an inswinging delivery into the danger zone, but it evades everyone and runs straight through to Abbiati.

Messi steps up for his second penalty of the night and drills it low into the bottom-right corner, restoring Barcelona’s advantage.

Messi tries to weave his way through a crowd of Milan defenders, but Philippe Mexès manages to poke the ball away at the last moment.

Cuenca’s cross is deflected goalward by Messi, seemingly unintentionally, and Abbiati stretches to save as Barcelona’s penalty appeals for handball are waved away.

Early in the second half, Messi is bundled over by Kevin-Prince Boateng in a dangerous attacking position, earning Barcelona another set-piece.

Messi receives the ball in the area but a well-timed defensive challenge robs him, allowing Milan to break and win a corner through Boateng.

Messi’s shot inside the box is blocked, the ball ricochets to Iniesta on the left, and Iniesta coolly curls it past Abbiati to score with Messi providing the initial threat.

Bursting through on the left side of the box, Messi goes for another trademark chip, but this time his audacious attempt sails over the bar.

Alves drives forward and looks to slide a pass into Messi, but the ball is intercepted before it reaches him and Abbiati clears long.

Messi picks out Thiago Alcántara near the left of goal, but Thiago’s first-time finish is wayward as he drags the shot across the face and wide.

Messi tries to surge away on a break, but the Milan defence muscles him off the ball before he can accelerate clear.

Cuenca’s ball into the area is claimed by Abbiati, then Alves delivers for Messi and the loose ball almost falls for him to complete his hat-trick, but Milan scramble it away.

Messi searches for his third goal with another effort and, after being denied, casually juggles the ball with a few keepie-uppies as time runs down.

Messi lines up a late free-kick and curls it over the wall, but his effort drifts just over the bar, confirming his night will end with a brace of penalties.