#2 Real Madrid (27/4/2011)
Little more than a month after putting Arsenal to the sword, Messi was at it again – this time on an even greater stage with an even better goal, as he helped Barca to a 2-0 semi-final first-leg win over Real Madrid that effectively sealed the tie.
Nothing was on when he gathered the ball outside the centre circle, but a rapid acceleration and a swift one-two with Sergio Busquets suddenly opened up possibilities as Lassana Diarra was caught on his heels. Powering forward with improbable pace, he sprinted away from Sergio Ramos, rode a challenge from Raul Albiol that was designed to take him out and then got his body in front of Marcelo to prod the ball past Iker Casillas. Stunning.
Barca were leading 1-0 at that moment, which arrived with three minutes left, giving Barca a platform they defended and propelling them towards final glory against Manchester United.