Messi sets Spanish scoring record

Barcelona's Argentine wizard Lionel Messi set a new club record on Tuesday, netting his 48th goal of the season in the 1-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk which took his side through to the Champions League semi-finals.

Messi's first half effort not only completed a resounding 6-1 aggregate success and gave him his tournament-leading ninth strike of the campaign but also moved him past the previous club mark of former star Ronaldo, who managed 47 in the 1996-97 season, his sole campaign in the Catalan club's colours.

If he can score again - and Barca's next match is against Real next weekend - he will equal the all-time Spanish record held by Real's late Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas, achieved in 1959-60.

Messi has blasted his 48 in only 46 matches and if Barca can now see off likely semi-final rivals Real Madrid - who must Wednesday preserve a 4-0 advantage over Tottenham in their return leg - to reach the final then the 23-year-old will have another nine games in which to stretch his record.