Real Madrid eliminate FC Barcelona from the Spanish Cup ( Copa del Rey ) after defeating the home side 1 - 3. The overall aggregate score for the home & away semi-final tie ended thus 2 - 4 in favour of Real Madrid.
FC Barcelona started better as Real looked nervous & unsettled. Lionel Messi had a golden chance to score early but missed, & perhaps that was a turning point. Finding their game Real Madrid exploited what they do best, counter-attack & utilize their man in current top form Cristiano Ronaldo who was brilliant tonight & the man of the match.
It was he who running at goal forced Barça defender Pique to foul him in the goal square & call a penalty in the 13 th min. Cool as a cucumber CR7 smashed it pass goalie Pinto & into the net to open proceedings. It was the 6th straight time Ronaldo visits "Camp Nou" & scores against FC Barcelona.
Barcelona had some moments & Messi another golden chance from a free-kick but again failed. It was not going to be the Argentines night at all as he was eclipsed by Cristiano Ronaldo. So much so, that the Portuguese was everywhere, rapid, dangerous & in goal-scoring mood.
Later Di Maria spearheaded a counter-attack, that broke Puyol with dribbling to shot the ball at goalie Pinto which bounced off him to find Cristiano Ronaldo waiting & controlling to score his second in the 57 th min.
Later Di Maria spearheaded a counter-attack, that broke Puyol with dribbling to shot the ball at goalie Pinto which bounced off him to find Cristiano Ronaldo waiting & controlling to score his second in the 57 th min.
Andres Iniesta tried all night & deserves a mention, but his team was shaken after the second Real Madrid goal to evidence that Barça are going through a "rough patch" with their Football. Rattled & imprecise in their passing the third goal came in the 68th min from a corner that young French defender Varane headed to score, unstoppable.
Outstanding from Varane who once again showed us that we are witnessing the coming of age of something very special, a World Class defender & Footballer, who was all night cool under pressure & grand in defence.
With the game out of reach & the semi-final tie obviously gone of Barça, Real Madrid relaxed somewhat from their intense efforts & allowed Barcelona more control. In one of those moments Barcelona defender Jordi Alba found space & scored the consolation goal in the 88th min.
A deserved victory for Real Madrid which goes into the Spanish Cup Final against the winner of tomorrow nights semi between Sevilla FC & Atletico de Madrid.
A deserved victory for Real Madrid which goes into the Spanish Cup Final against the winner of tomorrow nights semi between Sevilla FC & Atletico de Madrid.
Both Fc Barcelona & Real Madrid will meet & play again next weekend in the Liga Round 26 fixture. Perhaps Barça will take their revenge, perhaps Real Madrid will re-confirm the drop in Barça´s form. Either way tonight, Real Madrid is victor & will thus enjoy the praises.
Conclusion, it was a top match of Football tonight.
Conclusion, it was a top match of Football tonight.
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