Quick Report: Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal

(GSM) – FC Barcelona are another step closer to retaining their Champions League crown after beating Arsenal 6-3 on aggregate in the quarter finals.

The opening goal came on 18 minutes and momentarily it was Arsenal who were virtually through to the next round. Theo Walcott found Nicklas Bendtner in the penalty area and while the Dane’s first effort was blocked, he did hit the target on the rebound.

But the goal seemed to serve as a wake-up call to Barcelona, who were now down on aggregate after their 2-2 draw in the first leg.

Just three minutes after the Gunners had taken the lead, Argentinian Lionel Messi levelled the score with a well-aimed shot from outside the penalty area.

In the 37th minute, the young striker got his second with an effort from about eight meters and the hat-trick was completed five minutes later, chipping over keeper Manuel Almunia after a pass from Seydou Keita.

The second half was not as eventful as the first, but Barcelona did finish it off with a goal as Messi beat Almunia in two atempts to set his goal count to four.

In the semi finals, the Catalans face Italian champions Internazionale who beat CSKA Moscow earlier on Tuesday.