That didn't take long.
In the fifth minute of the second leg of a Champions League Round of 16 matchup with AC Milan, Lionel Messi provided the spark that Barcelona needed. After receiving a pass from Xavi just outside of the Milan penalty area, Messi took one touch with his right foot and then, in stride, slotted the ball into the top corner with his left.
With AC Milan carrying a 2-0 aggregate advantage into the second leg after a shock result at the San Siro, Barcelona needed an early score. Messi provided it.
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In the 40th minute, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner leveled the pairing on aggregate (2-2) with his second goal of the game. The second goal came moments after AC Milan striker M'Baye Niang put a gilt-edged chance off the post on the break.
Barcelona surged ahead on aggregate for the first time in the two-leg matchup in the 55th minute through David Villa. The out of favor striker took a pass from Xavi at the right edge of the box, took one touch and then curled a goal into the far corner.
As the second leg approached the final half hour, AC Milan had become the team needing to chase a goal. Although the Rossoneri increased pressure on the Barcelona back line, they could not find the goal needed to force an extra session. Capping off this historic comeback, Messi was prominently involved in the buildup to the final goal of the night. After taking possession in the middle of the field, Messi opened up and pushed the ball wide to his right to Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean forward swung the ball across the field and into the path of Jordi Alba, streaking up from the Barcelona defense. Alba slotted the ball past AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, igniting the celebration at the Nou Camp.
With two goals from Messi and second half scores from Villa and Alba, Barcelona turned an 0-2 aggregate deficit into an 4-2 aggregate triumph.
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