Barcelona vs. AC Milan Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Barcelona went through the motions en route to a 3-1 win over AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night, in turn securing their place in the last 16 of the competition.

The Catalans were always in the ascendency in the first half at Camp Nou, so it was no surprise when they eventually took the lead after 30 minutes—even if it was a penalty.

Alexis Sanchez had already been only inches away from connecting with an Adriano cross, and it was the Chilean who was almost the beneficiary of a mix up between Phillipe Mexes and Christian Abbiati.

Meanwhile, the two Brazilians, Neymar and Dani Alves, had both missed the target from distance.

Lionel Messi wasn't going to miss the target when Neymar won a penalty for the home side, though.

As the 21-year-old looked to latch on to an Andres Iniesta pass, Ignazio Abate tugged at his shirt—Messi smashed the ball home straight down the middle.

If the Argentinean was a likely scorer, the second man to grace the scoresheet wasn't: Sergio Busquets.

Xavi Hernandez's flighted free-kick was perfect, Milan's defending questionable and Busquets' header found its way into the back of the net.

The Italians would, however, respond before half-time.

Kaka exploited space down the right, then saw his cross deflect off Gerard Pique and out of Victor Valdes' reach—it was the breath of life the game needed.

Mario Balotelli was introduced at half-time and he would work Valdes within the first few minutes.

But other than a nice run from the former Manchester City man after that shot, and a last-ditch Javier Mascherano challenge on Sulley Muntari, it was Barcelona who looked most likely to score again.

Neymar beat four men before bizarrely blazing wide, then, moments later, the Brazilian combined with Messi to set up Alexis, only for Abbiati to produce a phenomenal save.

The crowning moment was left to Messi, though.

He collected the ball following a one-two with Cesc Fabregas and deliciously lifted the ball out of the reach of the overworked Abbiati to seal the three points. 

Lionel Messi: 9

Messi silenced any doubts by ending his three-match quest for a goal with a brace against the Italians.

If his first-half performance—despite the penalty—looked nervous, his second-half showing was anything but.

His link-up play with Dani Alves and Neymar was impressive, while he was a constant menace running with the ball.

Few could argue it was deserved when he eventually scored his second goal, following a neat interchange with Cesc Fabregas. 

Kaka: 7

The reinvention of Kaka post-Real Madrid continued at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

Although Milan weren't a constant threat, when they were, it was the Brazilian involved.

His run and cross yielded the first goal, and one exquisite pass in the second half would have set Sulley Muntari free were it not for a perfectly timed Mascherano challenge.

Player	Position	Rating
Victor Valdes	GK	6
Dani Alves	DR	7
Gerard Pique	DC	6
Javier Mascherano	DC	6
Adriano	DL	7
Sergio Busquets	MF	7
Xavi Hernandez	MF	7
Andres Iniesta	MF	7
Lionel Messi	FW	9
Alexis Sanchez	FW	7
Neymar	FW	8

Player	Position	Rating
Christian Abbiati	GK	8
Ignazio Abate	DR	6
Cristian Zapata	DC	5
Philippe Mexes	DC	7
Urby Emanuelson	DL	6
Sulley Muntari	MF	6
Ricardo Montolivo	MF	6
Nigel de Jong	MF	6
Andrea Poli	MF	6
Kaka	FW	7
Robinho	FW	5

Next up for Barcelona is a trip to Amsterdam to meet Ajax, while AC Milan must travel to Glasgow for their clash with Neil Lennon's Celtic.