Real Madrid win at Barcelona to reach Copa del Rey final
Last updated on .From the section Football

Real Madrid inflicted a painful 3-1 defeat on rivals Barcelona, completing a 4-2 aggregate win in the Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg in the Nou Camp.
Cristiano Ronaldo picked himself up after Gerard Pique's foul to score from the spot and Barca struggled to reply.
Lionel Messi curled just wide but his side were caught short as Ronaldo swept home from Angel di Maria's shot.
Raphael Varane's precise header made it 3-0 on the night and Jordi Alba's neat finish was little consolation to Barca.
Trailing leaders Barcelona by 16 points in the league, and with their Champions League campaign under threat against Manchester United next Tuesday, Real's chance to book their place in the Copa del Rey final against either Sevilla or Atletico Madrid had taken on extra importance for under-pressure Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.
But Barcelona, who had won only five of their previous 10 games, began as though shutting off another of the Portuguese's routes to silverware was the spur they needed.
Pedro twisted Fabio Coentrao inside out with a flurry of feints inside the opening 90 seconds, to create an opening that Messi cracked just past the post.
The visitors posed a threat for the first time as Dani Alves had to intervene quickly to prevent Angel di Maria's floated through ball reaching the lurking Ronaldo.
Pique was less dexterous when confronted by the Portuguese attacker with the ball on the floor.
Thrown off-balance by Ronaldo's flashing stepovers, the Barcelona defender's stretching leg sent Real Madrid's top-scorer tumbling in the box.
Barcelona protested in numbers and volume, but Ronaldo remained unruffled, drilling low into the corner to score in his seventh successive El Clasico.
Real Madrid continued to look dangerous on the break and, despite the hosts enjoying more possession, the threat of a second away goal hung over Barcelona's ineffectual probing around the opposition penalty box.
Their frustrations found an outlet when referee Alberto Undiano waved away their appeals after Xabi Alonso bundled into Pedro in the box, before the official awarded a free-kick that Messi fired under the wall, but wide of the upright.
Diego Lopez beat away a meaty Sergio Busquets shot, but as Barcelona pressed forward, they stumbled straight into their opponents' ambush.
Sami Khedira's clearance was pounced upon by Di Maria, who left Carles Puyol sprawling, before hammering a shot goalwards that looped up off Pinto for Ronaldo to convert.
Jordi Roura, standing in as Barcelona's manager while Tito Vilanova recovers from cancer surgery, shuffled his pack as he withdrew Cesc Fabregas for David Villa.
But Mourinho's tactical victory, at the club where he served as a translator before starting his managerial career, was assured by Varane's header.
The 19-year-old Frenchman met a corner unchallenged, leaving Barca needing four goals to overhaul Madrid's aggregate lead.
Madrid substitute Pepe raised the temperature late on with a series of physical challenges, but it was the only action to animate the home fans before Alba poked Andres Iniesta's chip past Lopez.
Barcelona will not have to wait long for a chance at revenge. They travel to the Bernabeu on Saturday to meet Real in the sixth Clasico of the season.
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What a ridiculous comment! Sounds like the sort of thing a 5 year old would say! RVP may be injured for Manchester United at the weekend. Shall we postpone the game until he gets better?
Race to the premiership, whoever gets there first is the Worlds best!
.....Go!
Laughable when people claim the Premier League is now as bad for diving and simulation. Speechless at some of the antics tonight.
They've been "shipping" goals reçently.
On the odd occasion when I get the opportunity to watch Barcelona, I find myself underwhelmed - moments of brilliance that barely shine through the endless passing. It just goes to show that you need to shoot to have a chance of scoring
La Liga has two great teams with possibly the best 3 or 4 players in the world at this moment
EPL is far more competitive, with no game being "easy" - (that is until FFP tries to guarantee Utd the league title indefinitely)
EPL is quicker and more exciting to watch
La Liga is slower and more technical
That said, I think Pep leaving Barca has been huge.. Some people think anyone can manage Barca and they'd win. Not true imo. They play great football when Messi plays well, but they miss Pep big time and depend on his goals...
27 Minutes ago
if u have avg 60% possession, it means u have the ball 4 60mins in a game.
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huh? So 60% of 90 minutes is 60 mins?
268 ESG - I agree with that mate He will get a standing ovation from me (and probably 80,000 others) on Tuesday - I can't wait.
You haven't seen any of his goals for Argentina? =/
The one at Wembley in 2011 was a little rubbish for his standards though, have 2 admit.
Pepe still found time to be Pepe ;) wouldnt be a classico without it!
Hope they beat united as the champions league will be better with the above players in it!