Champions League Thursday Review

Champions League Thursday Review

Barcelona and Bordeaux have sealed their places in the UEFA Champions League quarter finals.

Lionel Messi staged another masterclass to power holders Barcelona into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after they beat Stuttgart 4-0 at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night for a 5-1 aggregate triumph.

Messi struck a brilliant opener after just 12 minutes to put Barca on track, and then played a key role as Pedro Rodriguez made it 2-0 soon after as the Catalan giants
built a 3-1 aggregate lead.

Messi, who was a constant menace, added a third on the hour mark to take his tally to eight goals in the last four games before Bojan Krkic completed the romp late on as Barca became Spain's only representative to make it into the last eight.

Meanwhile, Bordeaux survived an unlikely Olympiacos fightback to win 2-1 at the Stade Chaban Delmas on Wednesday night for a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Yoann Gourcuff's superb free-kick gave Bordeaux an early lead and the France midfielder saw another set-piece come back off the frame of the goal as visiting goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis struggled to cope with his delivery.

There looked no way back for Olympiacos when Matt Derbyshire was sent off in the 60th minute for two yellow cards in the space of seven minutes.

But substitute Kostas Mitroglou made an instant impression, crashing home a 64th-minute equaliser, and they received a second boost when the hosts' captain Alou Diarra also saw red.

Bordeaux, though, sealed their progress in the 88th minute, Nikopolidis again caught out as Marouane Chamakh headed in at the far post.

The teams will await the draw on Friday to find out their opponents for the next stage.

Match Reports and Reactions

Barcelona-Stuttgart Match Report

Bordeaux-Olympiacos Match Report

Guardiola: Two more great matches left

Barca stars: The best is yet to come

Bordeaux stars express relief


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