Lionel Messi continued his return to goalscoring form after netting twice against Sevilla on Sunday, with a fine solo run and finish to put Barca in front midway through the first-half.
The hosts were then thankful to a number of saves from Enaut Zubikarai to prevent Barcelona extending their lead on the night, but the Basques got some recompense for their efforts three minutes from time when Antoine Griezmann thumped Chory Castro’s low cross past Jose Manuel Pinto.
Bayern eases past HSV in cup semis
BERLIN: Striker Mario Mandzukic scored a hat trick as holder Bayern Munich beat Hamburger SV 5-0 on Wednesday to reach the semis of the German Cup.
But Bayer Leverkusen, second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern, lost 1-0 at home to second-division Kaiserslautern. Wolfsburg held on with 10 men to win 3-2 at Hoffenheim. On Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 to also reach the last four. Bayern will look to emulate last season’s formula.
Napoli thrash Roma, reach final
ROME: Two goals in three devastating second-half minutes helped Napoli reach the Italian Cup final on Wednesday with a 3-0 win over AS Roma in the second leg of their semi-final in Naples, to clinch the tie 5-3 on aggregate. Rafael Benitez’s side will face Fiorentina in the final and will look to clinch it.
The hosts were then thankful to a number of saves from Enaut Zubikarai to prevent Barcelona extending their lead on the night, but the Basques got some recompense for their efforts three minutes from time when Antoine Griezmann thumped Chory Castro’s low cross past Jose Manuel Pinto.
Bayern eases past HSV in cup semis
BERLIN: Striker Mario Mandzukic scored a hat trick as holder Bayern Munich beat Hamburger SV 5-0 on Wednesday to reach the semis of the German Cup.
But Bayer Leverkusen, second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern, lost 1-0 at home to second-division Kaiserslautern. Wolfsburg held on with 10 men to win 3-2 at Hoffenheim. On Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 to also reach the last four. Bayern will look to emulate last season’s formula.
Napoli thrash Roma, reach final
ROME: Two goals in three devastating second-half minutes helped Napoli reach the Italian Cup final on Wednesday with a 3-0 win over AS Roma in the second leg of their semi-final in Naples, to clinch the tie 5-3 on aggregate. Rafael Benitez’s side will face Fiorentina in the final and will look to clinch it.