Barcelona and Inter set up semifinal clash

ONDON: Barcelona winger Lionel Messi hit four goals past Arsenal as the holder stormed into the Champions League semifinals and a meeting with Inter Milan after the Italian champion ousted CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

While Inter's 2-0 aggregate victory over CSKA clinched a first semifinal appearance in seven years, Barcelona is in the last four for the third consecutive season after beating Arsenal 6-3 over the two legs. Barcelona won 4-1 on Tuesday.

“I would have preferred to have another rival — another opponent,” Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. “But this is the team we play.”

Barcelona had been stunned by injury-depleted Arsenal in the 19th minute at the Nou Camp when Nicklas Bendtner gave the English Premier League title contender a 3-2 aggregate lead.

But Messi responded with a hat-trick before half-time and a fourth in the closing minutes to send Barcelona through.

“I hope I can keep this up,” Messi said. “I think this team is making history like we did last year. It's all in our hands.”