Copa del Rey: Neymar at the double as Barcelona progress into semis
Catalans win both legs against Atletico to go through 4-2 on aggregate.
The Blaugrana celebrate Neymar’s second goal on the night, which virtually ended the tie as a contest and left Atletico needing three more goals to progress. PHOTO: AFP
MADRID:
Neymar bagged a double as Barcelona booked their place in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 3-2 win over nine-man Atletico Madrid to seal a comfortable 4-2 aggregate victory.
Fernando Torres struck for the hosts inside the first minute to cancel out Lionel Messi’s winner in last week’s first leg, but Neymar grabbed a vital away goal just nine minutes later to mean that Atletico required two more goals to go through.
Raul Garcia made it 2-2 on aggregate from the spot but Los Colchoneros still needed another goal to progress. However, it was Barcelona who struck twice in quick succession to put the tie to bed before half time as first Miranda sliced the ball into his own net before Neymar scored his second of the night.
Atletico captain Gabi was then sent off during the break as players and coaches from both sides clashed at the end of the first period. However, the midfielder did not believe his sending off was warranted and felt it killed off the game. “I just said to the referee it was a penalty and a red card, you will see on TV that you have made a mistake,” Gabi told Canal Plus. “Then he told me that I was sent-off. I didn’t say anything else. The team was left with a numerical disadvantage and you could see that in the second half.”
The home side should have been reduced to nine men earlier when Arda Turan somehow escaped with just a yellow card after throwing his boot at one of the officials in the second half. They did eventually see another red card when Mario Suarez picked up a second booking late on.
“I liked the way the team reacted after conceding in a strange way in the first minute,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. “Neymar showed the attitude he always does. He is a player with a lot of confidence and helps us all in all phases of the game.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2015.
Neymar bagged a double as Barcelona booked their place in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 3-2 win over nine-man Atletico Madrid to seal a comfortable 4-2 aggregate victory.
Fernando Torres struck for the hosts inside the first minute to cancel out Lionel Messi’s winner in last week’s first leg, but Neymar grabbed a vital away goal just nine minutes later to mean that Atletico required two more goals to go through.
Raul Garcia made it 2-2 on aggregate from the spot but Los Colchoneros still needed another goal to progress. However, it was Barcelona who struck twice in quick succession to put the tie to bed before half time as first Miranda sliced the ball into his own net before Neymar scored his second of the night.
Atletico captain Gabi was then sent off during the break as players and coaches from both sides clashed at the end of the first period. However, the midfielder did not believe his sending off was warranted and felt it killed off the game. “I just said to the referee it was a penalty and a red card, you will see on TV that you have made a mistake,” Gabi told Canal Plus. “Then he told me that I was sent-off. I didn’t say anything else. The team was left with a numerical disadvantage and you could see that in the second half.”
The home side should have been reduced to nine men earlier when Arda Turan somehow escaped with just a yellow card after throwing his boot at one of the officials in the second half. They did eventually see another red card when Mario Suarez picked up a second booking late on.
“I liked the way the team reacted after conceding in a strange way in the first minute,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. “Neymar showed the attitude he always does. He is a player with a lot of confidence and helps us all in all phases of the game.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2015.