Champions League Group H wrap: Mess on song, Milan frustrated

Lionel Messi netted his 200th goal for Barcelona during a 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Messi’s landmark strike was his first goal in a hat-trick scored at the home of the Czech champions.

The Argentine’s goals helped his side move two points clear at the top of Group H, as second-placed AC Milan could only draw 1-1 with BATE Borisov.

Plzen started the match full of running and tried to take the game to their illustrious opposition at the Synot Tip Arena.

Milan Petrzela burst through a static Barca back line only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who produced a strong left-handed save to stop the hosts from taking a surprise early lead.

Daniel Kolar then wasted another chance, blazing a half-volley high and wide after being found in space inside the box.

But Plzen’s encouraging start came to nothing, and they found themselves behind after 10 minutes when Messi had his legs taken away from him by Marian Cisovsky inside the box.

The livewire forward picked himself up to score from the spot, and Cisovsky was shown a red card for the foul.

The away side began to toy with their opponents, exploiting the gaps created by Cisovsky’s dismissal.

Two minutes into first-half injury time, Messi played a delightful one-two with Adriano before sliding his finish past Roman Pavlik in the Plzen goal.

Cesc Fabregas made it 3-0 on 71 minutes with a headed effort, getting on the end of Isaac Cuenca’s perfectly-weighted cross.

Messi then completed his hat-trick, adding gloss to the score-line with a well-taken finish after rounding Pavlik in stoppage time.

Also on Tuesday, AC Milan gave up the lead to draw 1-1 away to Belarusian side BATE.

Milan opened the scoring 22 minutes into the match at the Horodskiy Stadium.

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic disposed defender Marko Simic and played the ball to strike-partner Robinho, before receiving the return pass and finding the back of the net.

Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was forced into two good saves from BATE forward Maksim Skavysh following swift counter-attacks by the home side.

Robinho should have extended the lead when he hit the post just before the break, and the Serie A champions were left to rue that missed opportunity when Ignazio Abate fouled Artyom Kontsevoi inside the box 10 minutes into the second half.

Renan Bressan scored from the spot to make it 1-1.

Kevin-Prince Boateng had a chance to snatch victory late on for Milan but BATE survived, claiming a credible point against their heavyweight visitors.