Messi refutes cheat claims

Lionel Messi insists he did not play-act to get Chelsea's Asier Del Horno sent off.

Del Horno was dismissed eight minutes before half time after a coming together with the young Argentine that left both players rather theatrically writhing around on the floor.

Norwegian official Terje Hauge opted to show Chelsea's left back a red card much to the disgust of his team-mates and boss Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho has subsequently slammed Messi for his part in the incident and is in no doubt his antics influenced the official's decision.

However, the teenager has hit back and claims he was not guilty of simulation.

"I did not fake anything," he stated.

"It was clear that in the first challenge that he went in studs up and in the second Del Horno was very hard and was intending to hurt me, but I jumped and for that reason did not get it."

Team-mate Deco was also quick to spring to Messi's defence, adding: "Leo did not play-act. It was a very hard challenge and left him with an ugly mark - just look at his leg."

That controversial incident apart, Messi turned in a superlative display and is now confident Barca will progress if they can reproduce a similar performance in two weeks' time.

"If we are capable of playing in the Camp Nou how we did in the second half then we won't have any problems in getting through," he continued.

"It was a very important result.

"It would have been nice to have scored a goal but the most important thing is this good result."