Champions League: Lionel Messi wins Barcelona & PSG plaudits

 Champions League: Lionel Messi came off the bench to kick-start a Barcelona fightback

Lionel Messi came off the bench to kick-start a Barcelona fightback as the four-time winners reached the Champions League semi-finals on away goals.

Javier Pastore's clipped finish put Paris St-Germain ahead for the first time in the tie, 3-2 on aggregate.

But Messi, who suffered a hamstring strain in the first leg, inspired Barca and was involved as Pedro hammered home from 15 yards.

Andres Iniesta almost added a second for the hosts after a sublime turn.

PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti ushered David Beckham off the bench in the closing stages, but the former England captain could not replicate Messi's impact on the game as the visitors struggled to force their way back onto the front foot. 

Messi came on after 62 minutes and helped set up Pedro's goal as Barca drew 1-1 to advance on away goals.

"It doesn't matter if he's a little bit injured he can change everything," said Barca's Gerard Pique of Messi, who strained a hamstring in the first leg.

PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti added that Messi was "always fantastic".

The Italian added: "We caused them problems but Messi gave his team confidence." 

Cesc Fabregas had started in the attacking role usually occupied by Messi, but his team struggled to break down a PSG side that took the lead in the tie through Javier Pastore's strike.

Messi's arrival off the bench, at the expense of the former Arsenal midfielder, signalled the start of Barcelona's fightback and his precise pass to David Villa led to the strike that ultimately put his side through.

"Messi is the best player in the world and he changed the game just by being on the pitch," Villa told television channel Canal Plus.

"We have to congratulate him for his show of commitment to the team and to football. It is thanks to him, and everyone else, that we have qualified,"

Goalscorer Pedro said: "Messi is a very important player and he put in a great effort after coming on.

"He was the catalyst; we changed after he came on and we have to thank him for that."

Pique believes that despite Messi's progression through the ranks of club's famed La Masia academy, Barcelona are fortune to have the four-time world player of the year.