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Updated Friday, September 30, 2011 9:17 pm TWN, By Rob Harris, AP



	Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, controls the ball in front of BATE's Artyom Kontsevoi during their Champions League Group G soccer match in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, Sept. 28. Barcelona won 5-0. AP Enlarge Photo

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Barcelona rout BATE 5-0 to remain ahead of AC Milan

LONDON--Lionel Messi's double helped Barcelona rout Belorussian team BATE Borisov 5-0 and stay ahead of AC Milan in Champions League Group G on goal difference after the Italian champions beat Viktoria Plzen 2-0 on Wednesday.

Messi took his tally to the season to 14 for the European champions and joined the retired Laszlo Kubala as Barcelona's second-highest goal-scorer of all time with 194.

Barcelona took advantage of BATE's defensive frailties to record its first Champions League victory since defeating Manchester United in May's final.

An own goal by BATE midfielder Aleksandr Volodko put Barcelona ahead before Pedro Rodriguez headed in the second from David Villa's cross.

And when Pedro's tame cross slipped through goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor's hands, Messi tapped the ball across the goal line to send Barcelona in at half time 3-0 up.

Messi claimed his second just after the restart with a strike from inside the area, and David Villa capped the win in the 90th by slotting into the net.

With 14 goals already this season, Messi will have his sights set on surpassing Cesar Rodriguez's record 235 goals from 1942 to 1955 for Barcelona.

Barcelona had drawn its Group G opener with AC Milan.

Against Czech side Viktoria Plzen, Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted from the penalty spot at the start of the second half and provided the pass for Antonio Cassano to double the lead the San Siro.

The penalty was awarded when Plzen defender Marian Cisovsky handled the ball inside the area while attempting to mark Ibrahimovic. Cassano then scored with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper.

“It was important to win and get the three points and follow up the match in Barcelona,” Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said.

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