MADRID -- Two second-half goals by Lionel Messi gave Barcelona a 2-0 victory at 10-man Real Madrid on Wednesday to take control of their heated Champions League semifinal.
Messi guided substitute Ibrahim Afellay's cross through the legs of goalkeeper Iker Casillas to open the scoring in the 76th minute and the elusive Argentina forward drifted past three defenders before slotting in his 52nd goal of the season in the 87th.
Barcelona dominated throughout but only managed to break through after Pepe was red-carded in the 61st at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho soon joined the Madrid defender on the sidelines after protesting the decision, which left Madrid playing with 10 against Barcelona for the fourth straight game.
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