Tag Real MadridCopa del Rey

Brace

Madrid, Feb. 27, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) A clinical Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 away in an intense Copa del Rey semi-final, second leg on Wednesday as a Luis Suarez double helped them secure a 4-1 aggregate victory.

The victory means that Barcelona have yet again booked a spot in the final for the sixth straight season.

A dominant yet wasteful Real ravaged their rivals in the first half while spurning a string of clear chances at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yet Barca went ahead against the run of play in the 50th minute as Ousmane Dembele led a counter-attack and Suarez slotted his pass into the net.

Spearheaded by the pace and confidence of Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr, Madrid continued to fly forward but failed to find the target.

Barca effectively killed off the tie when Raphael Varane bundled the ball into his own net as he tried to prevent Suarez reaching another cross from Dembele.

Suarez then earned a penalty and further humiliated Madrid by converting with an audacious ‘Panenka’, deceiving goalkeeper Keylor Navas by chipping the ball into the net.

La Liga leaders Barca will visit Real again in the league on Saturday.

The Catalans, who are bidding to win the trophy for a record fifth consecutive year, will play either Real Betis or Valencia in the final on May 25 at Betis’ Benito Villamarin stadium.

Valencia host Betis in their second leg on Thursday, having drawn 2-2 in the first leg. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Felix Ajide

Messi
Madrid, Feb. 5, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari hopes FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is fit to face his side in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg for the good of the game.

But he added that the Argentine’s presence would not affect his game plan.

It is unclear whether Messi, the all-time top goalscorer in Spanish football, as well as in the ‘Clasico’, will be fit for the game.

He had ended Barca’s 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday with a knock.

His club have not given an injury update on him.

“It’s always good when the best players get to play every game, but whether or not he plays will not influence the way we prepare for the game at all,” Solari told a news conference on Tuesday.

Messi was out with a broken arm the last time Spain’s two biggest clubs met back in October.

But Barca barely missed their talismanic forward, thrashing Real Madrid 5-1 in what proved to be Julen Lopetegui’s last game in charge before Solari took over.

Real Madrid are third in the La Liga standings, but they cut their gap behind leaders Barca to eight points after beating Alaves on Sunday.

Now, they are looking to end FC Barcelona’s run of four consecutive Copa del Rey triumphs.

The capital city club reached the final of the competition for the first time since 2014 when they beat the Catalans 2-1.

Barca’s French forward Ousmane Dembele is unlikely to be fit for the game, as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Solari meanwhile has practically a full squad at his disposal, with only little-used defender Jesus Vallejo unavailable.

“It’s harder to pick a team when everyone is available, but the important thing is that every player puts their talent, ability and effort at the service of the team,” added the coach.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)