MX23RW : Friday, November 29 00:55:11| >> :120:25282:25282:
[monks data]
- | -
Jan 24, 2013 at 9pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-4

Barcelona set up Real Madrid semi-final

Barcelona reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 6-4 aggregate victory over Malaga.

Barcelona set up a Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Madrid after defeating Malaga 4-2 in the second leg of their last-eight clash to progress 6-4 on aggregate.

Having conceded two away goals in the previous leg, the visitors went into the match all guns blazing and took the lead on the night with just eight minutes on the clock.

Daniel Alves linked up with Xavi before playing in a measured cross for Spanish international Pedro to head into an empty net and make it 3-2 on aggregate.

End-to-end action ensued and the hosts found themselves level just four minutes later when Ignacio Camacho picked out Joaquin Sanchez in the box, and the winger found the bottom corner.

Barcelona had a glorious chance to restore their aggregate lead in the 27th minute. Lionel Messi picked up a loose pass in the area but the world player of the year was denied by Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.

Both sides could have gone ahead before half-time, with Roque Santa Cruz and Camacho blowing chances for the hosts and Andres Iniesta striking the crossbar at the other end.

Tito Vilanova's side dominated play after the break and went ahead for the second time on the night in the 49th minute through Gerard Pique, who capitalised on some sloppy Malaga defending and fired into the bottom corner.

Malaga drew level against the run of play on 68 minutes through former Blackburn Rovers man Santa Cruz, who beat the offside trap and struck a low effort beyond visiting keeper Jose Manuel Pinto to make it 3-3 on aggregate.

The hosts put in a spirited performance, but Barcelona were the better side and they got their just desserts in the 76th minute when Iniesta exchanged passes with Cesc Fabregas before rifling home that killer blow.

With Malaga still reeling from Iniesta's strike, Barcelona put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes left to play. Messi headed home an Alves cross to claim his team's 100th goal of the season and make it 6-4 on aggregate.

Barcelona will face their great rivals Real Madrid in the last four, with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid battling it out in the other semi-final.

ID:65856: cacheID:65856:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4249:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Andres Iniesta
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Malaga 2-4 Barcelona (4-6) - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.20am
Dolphins
@
Packers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!