Barca win to set up semifinal with Real
26 Jan 2013 1:14 AM GMT
FC Barcelona set up a Copa del Rey semifinal tie against bitter rivals Real Madrid when they won the return leg of their quarterfinal against Malaga 4-2. Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-1 on aggregate and the two sides will play the first leg of their tie next Wednesday.
Barca, who needed a goal in order to qualify after the 2-2 draw from the first leg, played their strongest side and opened the scoring after just eight minutes thanks to Pedro Rodriguez. But Joaquin Sanchez levelled the score just four minutes later. Gerard Pique put the visitors back in front after controlling the ball on his front and firing past Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni five minutes into the second half. Roque Santa Cruz then hit back for Malaga after a fine flowing move. Then a lovely combination between Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta saw Iniesta score Barca’s third while Leo Messi got his name on the score-sheet with 10 minutes left to kill off any chance Malaga had of a fightback.
Barca, who needed a goal in order to qualify after the 2-2 draw from the first leg, played their strongest side and opened the scoring after just eight minutes thanks to Pedro Rodriguez. But Joaquin Sanchez levelled the score just four minutes later. Gerard Pique put the visitors back in front after controlling the ball on his front and firing past Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni five minutes into the second half. Roque Santa Cruz then hit back for Malaga after a fine flowing move. Then a lovely combination between Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta saw Iniesta score Barca’s third while Leo Messi got his name on the score-sheet with 10 minutes left to kill off any chance Malaga had of a fightback.
Next Story
