Lionel Messi edged closer towards what will be one of his greatest career landmarks at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night, scoring twice in Barcelona’s comfortable win over Milan.

It was his 65th goal in the competition and he is now just six behind Champions League top scorer Raul. If the Argentine’s demise has been ramped-up in recent days talk of Milan’s steady decline does not seem to have been exaggerated.

While the Catalans’ qualification to the knockout stages was secured, the seven-time European Cup winning Italians may still squeeze through the group but with former Manchester City forward Robinho leading the line for them here they looked like a side who will surely be many teams’ preferred rivals in the next stage — and lying 11th in Serie A they may struggle to qualify for next season’s competition

Messi’s goal came from a spot-kick awarded after Neymar had been fouled in the area by Ignazio Abate. He seemed to exaggerate the contact spinning as he went to ground but there were no complaints from the Milan defender who was booked. Messi has gone four games without scoring in the league but made no mistake from the spot. You could hear him strike the ball in the top tier of a subdued Nou Camp he it so hard, straight down the middle of Christian Abbiati’s goal.

Barcelona coach Tata Martino said: ‘It always bring calm when you qualify after just four games. Messi had a spark about him tonight. He is dangerous when people are saying he is not playing so well.’

Sergio Busquets headed Xavi’s free-kick in for Barcelona’s second goal, completely unmarked. Milan were limp in attack and lackadaisical at the back. Abbiati had already put a goal-kick straight out of play and almost hit a clearance straight at Alexis and into his own net.

Messi should have scored again when slipped through by Iniesta but his shot was saved and before the break Milan scored from their first attack. Kaka found the burst of pace he had left in Milan the first time he left the club to join Real Madrid in 2009. He sped past Dani Alves and Gerard Pique turned his cross past Victor Valdes.

Robinho did not reappear for the second half, having barely shown in the first 45 minutes. Mario Balotelli replaced him and did more than the player he had replaced inside the first four minutes of the second period forcing Valdes into a low save at his near post. Messi then had the ball in the back of the net again but he knew little about it. Alexis’ shot cannoned off Barça’s No 10 and over Abbiati but the linesman’s flag cut short the celebrations.

Iniesta had a shot turned around his post by Abbiati while a saving tackle from Mascherano on Muntari saved Barcelona at the other end. Balotelli had woken Milan up and he forced a corner with a fine run down the right.

But it was Barcelona who finished stronger with a mazy run from Neymar across the face of the penalty area finishing with a shot that went wide and Messi and Neymar combining brilliantly only for Alexis to have his shot saved.

On 83 minutes Messi had the last word twice exchanging passes inside the Milan penalty area with substitute Cesc Fabregas and finishing past Abbiati to put the visitors, and any doubts about him having lost his scoring touch, out of sight.

— Daily Mail