Panathinaikos took the lead against the run of play through Sidney Govou in the 20th minute but Barca hit back in merciless fashion to take a 3-1 lead by half-time through two goals from the irrepressible Messi and another from David Villa.

Messi, having also hit the crossbar in the first half, spurned the chance to net his hat-trick in the 55th minute when his weak penalty was saved by Alexandros Tzorvas.

However, Messi recovered from that disappointment and set up two more goals for Pep Guardiola's side late on.

For the fourth, Pedro Rodriguez slotted in after the unlucky Messi had seen his shot strike both posts before falling perfectly to the Spain international.

Then, with the last action of the match, Dani Alves headed in Messi's magnificent scooped pass over the Greek side's overwhelmed defence.

A tale of two penalties in Russia

David Villa netted a second-half penalty to earn Barcelona a point from their trip to Rubin Kazan, who once again proved a frustrating opponent for the Catalan giants.

Villa slotted home on the hour-mark to cancel out Cristian Noboa's 30th-minute penalty for Rubin, with both goalkeepers coming agonisingly close to saving the respective spot-kicks.

Barca dominated for large periods but not even the second-half arrival of fit-again Lionel Messi could inspire Pep Guardiola's side to victory, and the visitors almost ended up empty-handed as Rubin substitute Obafemi Martins hit the woodwork late on.

Messi fires for Barca

Lionel Messi struck two hugely contrasting goals as Barcelona climbed to the top of Group D after squeezing past erstwhile leaders FC Copenhagen at the Nou Camp.

Messi broke the deadlock with a thunderous effort in the 19th minute to cap a fine opening from Barca, but the hosts struggled to finish off their in-form opponents and survived a number of second-half scares before the Argentinian ace tapped home from close range in stoppage time to secure the points.

Barca held in feisty affair

Barcelona will have to wait to book their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League after being held by FC Copenhagen at the Parken Stadion this evening.

Barca knew a victory in Denmark would guarantee themselves a place in the knock-out stages and the two-time reigning Spanish champions looked on course to achieve that after taking a 31st-minute lead through Lionel Messi.

However, second-placed FC Copenhagen went down the other end and drew level almost immediately through Claudemir to earn a share of the points - although they survived a big let-off in the final minute when Barca substitute Pedro Rodriguez hit the post.

The result leaves Barca still top of Group D on eight points, one above FC Copenhagen and five clear of third-placed Rubin Kazan with two games remaining.

Pedro at the double

Pedro scored twice and Lionel Messi capped a sublime performance with a goal as Barcelona reached the last 16 of the Champions League with an emphatic victory at Panathinaikos in Group D.

Messi scored the second goal of the game after a superb build-up, sandwiching goals by Pedro, as Barca continued their fantastic form which saw them win 8-0 at Almeria at the weekend.

Fontas and Vazquez lead charge

A largely second-string Barcelona consigned Rubin Kazan to a place in the Europa League after easing to a 2-0 victory in Tuesday's Champions League encounter at the Nou Camp.

Andreu Fontas' deflected second-half effort and a late Victor Vazquez strike earned already-qualified Barca their fourth win in Group D and meant Rubin, who started the day a point behind second-placed FC Copenhagen, would have to settle for third place in the standings.

Brilliant comeback gives Arsenal edge

Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin struck as Arsenal staged a brilliant late comeback to claim a 2-1 win and give themselves a real chance of progressing in the Champions League.

David Villa fired Barcelona, hailed by Arsene Wenger as the world's best team, ahead in the first half after combining with Lionel Messi.

But their superiority faded after the break when Arsenal took control, with Van Persie starting the comeback in the 79th minute before Andrey Arshavin smashed home a superb winner.

Gunners gutted after Euro exit

Arsenal were left with a sense of injustice after seeing Robin van Persie controversially sent off as they were knocked out of the Champions League again by Barcelona in the Camp Nou following a 3-1 loss.

The Dutchman was a shock inclusion for the Gunners, who led 2-1 from the first leg, having recovered quicker than expected from the knee injury he sustained in the Carling Cup final.

However, moments after an own goal from Sergio Busquets had cancelled out Lionel Messi's fine opener following a terrible mistake by Cesc Fabregas, van Persie was given his marching orders by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca.

Van Persie had already been booked in the first half and was shown a second yellow card for lashing the ball towards goal after a marginal offside call which the Arsenal striker claimed he could not hear.

Barcelona took full advantage, with Xavi and then Messi's penalty putting the tie beyond Arsene Wenger's men, who were left to reflect on what might have been and must now regroup for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Barclays Premier League title rivals Manchester United.

Five-star Barca thump Donetsk

Barcelona all but secured their spot in the Champions League semi-finals and a probable showdown with arch rivals Real Madrid after building a huge 5-1 first-leg lead over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Following on from Madrid's 4-0 thumping of Tottenham, Barca appear to have done all the hard work in their home quarter-final tie after another memorable European night at the Nou Camp.

Andres Iniesta, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Seydou Keita and Xavi were on the mark for the Catalan giants, while Shakhtar's sole reply came from Yaroslav Rakitskiy when they were already 3-0 down.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola had admitted he had a bad feeling about this match, but his fears will have been eased after seeing his take the lead after just 99 seconds through new father Iniesta.

Barca cruise into last four

Barcelona secured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League and a probable showdown with arch rivals Real Madrid after completing a 1-0 win Shakhtar Donetsk.

Leading 5-1 from last week's quarter-final first leg at the Nou Camp, Barca weathered an early storm at the Donbass Arena before netting what would prove to be the only goal of the night through Lionel Messi just before half-time.

That was the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner's 48th competitive goal of what has been an incredible season and ensured there would be no slip-up by Pep Guardiola's side, who will meet Madrid in the last four unless Tottenham can overhaul a 4-0 deficit.

Messi puts Barca on brink of Wembley

Lionel Messi struck twice late on as Barcelona took a huge step towards the Champions League final with a 2-0 semi-final, first leg win over 10-man Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Messi, taking his tally to 52 in all competitions this season, netted in the 76th and 87th minutes - the second a typically brilliant solo effort - to settle an ill-tempered clash which saw Madrid defender Pepe sent off in the 61st minute.

That incident also saw Madrid coach Jose Mourinho - who on Tuesday sparked a war of words with counterpart Pep Guardiola - sent to the stands, while Barca reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto was also shown a red card following an incident at half-time.

However, the end result means Barca, European champions in 2006 and 2009, are now firm favourites to progress to next month's final at Wembley.

Classy Barca heading to Wembley

Barcelona comfortably advanced to the Champions League final following a 1-1 draw at home to fierce rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou.

Following a completely one-sided first half in which Madrid keeper Iker Casillas kept his side in the game, Pedro gave Pep Guardiola's team the lead nine minutes into the second period.

Marcelo soon hit back for a vastly-improved Madrid 10 minutes later, but the Catalans never looked in too much trouble and will face Manchester United or Schalke in the final later this month, which sees them return to the scene of their first European Cup triumph, in 1992.

Barca masterclass seals trophy

For the second time in three years, brilliant Barcelona denied Manchester United Champions League glory with a sensational performance at Wembley.

Although United could take some small consolation from the knowledge they were more effective than that 2009 letdown in Rome and even managed to level Pedro's first-half strike through Wayne Rooney, once again the better team won.

On the ground where the Catalans lifted their first European Cup, Lionel Messi also laid his personal ghost to rest, scoring his first goal for Barcelona on English soil, belting home what proved to be the winner nine minutes into the second half.

David Villa curled home an equally splendid third with just over 20 minutes to go to set the seal on Barcelona's fourth Champions League win and end all arguments about their right to be regarded among the truly great teams that have ever played the game.