CL: Messi makes history; APOEL advances
Posted March 7, 2012 5:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON — Lionel Messi enhanced his status as the finest footballer of his generation, scoring a record five goals in Barcelona’s 7-1 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen to sweep the holders into the Champions League quarterfinals.
The prolific Argentina forward became the first player to score more than four goals in a match in Europe’s elite club competition as the Spanish side sealed a 10-2 aggregate win, sending an ominous warning to their rivals with one of the Champions League’s biggest ever victories.
In the night’s other match, APOEL extended its unprecedented Champions League run for a Cypriot side by beating Lyon 4-3 on penalties after the two-legged match finished 1-1 on aggregate.
Barcelona and APOEL join AC Milan and Benfica in the quarterfinals.
