Messi carves through Real Madrid defense, scores like Messi

After an hour of scuffles, handbags, dives and temper tantrums, in Real Madrid and Barcelona's Champions League semifinal first leg match, Pepe was sent off for a questionable high boot against Dani Alves and Lionel Messi took that as his cue. With Real a man down and Jose Mourinho (who was sent off himself for winking and sarcastically applauding the officials after the Pepe red card) passing notes from the stands, Messi once again proved how difficult it is for him to go a whole match and not score a goal by netting two in the final 15 minutes.

His second goal (see video above) was something that is already getting compared to everything from video games to Maradona, but in truth, it's just Messi doing what he does. Sergio Busquets gave him the ball and let him go on his way like a super charged wind-up toy.

So, Barca take a 2-0 lead into the second leg as Mourinho and his tactics were both vanquished in this round of the never-ending series of Clasicos. But, there's still that second leg to go, which is plenty of time for both sides to do more combusting.

Photo: Getty Images