Real, Barca on course for Copa clash
Source: Agencies |
January 28, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
KARIM Benzema led Real Madrid to a 1-0 win at Sevilla before Barcelona rolled over Almeria 5-0 in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday in Spain.
Benzema, the much-questioned France striker, answered his critics with a valuable away goal in the 17th minute of the first-leg match at Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. Benzema gathered the ball inside the Sevilla half, dribbled into the area and shook off two defenders before beating goalkeeper Andres Palop with a low right-footed strike.
Defending champion Sevilla nearly equalized just before halftime when Madrid defender Raul Albiol slowed Luis Fabiano's goalbound shot and eventually kept it out of goal. However, TV replays suggested the ball may have crossed the line.
The tense atmosphere boiled over toward the end when Madrid keeper Iker Casillas was hit in the head by what appeared to be a plastic bottle thrown from the stands.
"Some vandal chucked a bottle" Casillas said. "It's a shame as the fans were splendid... and then some idiot caused a problem.
"We have taken away a positive result, but Sevilla is a good team and the second leg will be wide open," Casillas added.
Madrid returns to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium for next week's return leg looking to secure a place in the final, where biggest rival Barcelona will likely await after another dominating performance.
Early onslaught
Lionel Messi scored a double and David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez added goals in the opening 31 minutes. Substitute Seydou Keita completed the rout in the 89th to leave Almeria with little hope after suffering a second straight lopsided defeat to the Spanish champion.
Record 25-time champion Barcelona and 17-time winner Madrid are on course to meet in the April 20 final, which comes three days after they meet in a key league match.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola did not want to take things for granted despite his team's big lead.
"This is clearly an excellent result, but we are still not in the final," he said. "We have players for this. We create chances to score."
In Seville, days of goading provided a charged atmosphere as Sevilla pressed forward early but Benzema's class put the visitors in control.
The striker's second game-winning goal in two games came after a week when his teammates and coach Jose Mourinho demanded more from the Frenchman. Madrid brought Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City on loan on Tuesday to fill in for the injured Gonzalo Higuain, but Benzema showed he will be an asset to Madrid down the stretch after his individual effort.
Benzema, the much-questioned France striker, answered his critics with a valuable away goal in the 17th minute of the first-leg match at Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. Benzema gathered the ball inside the Sevilla half, dribbled into the area and shook off two defenders before beating goalkeeper Andres Palop with a low right-footed strike.
Defending champion Sevilla nearly equalized just before halftime when Madrid defender Raul Albiol slowed Luis Fabiano's goalbound shot and eventually kept it out of goal. However, TV replays suggested the ball may have crossed the line.
The tense atmosphere boiled over toward the end when Madrid keeper Iker Casillas was hit in the head by what appeared to be a plastic bottle thrown from the stands.
"Some vandal chucked a bottle" Casillas said. "It's a shame as the fans were splendid... and then some idiot caused a problem.
"We have taken away a positive result, but Sevilla is a good team and the second leg will be wide open," Casillas added.
Madrid returns to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium for next week's return leg looking to secure a place in the final, where biggest rival Barcelona will likely await after another dominating performance.
Early onslaught
Lionel Messi scored a double and David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez added goals in the opening 31 minutes. Substitute Seydou Keita completed the rout in the 89th to leave Almeria with little hope after suffering a second straight lopsided defeat to the Spanish champion.
Record 25-time champion Barcelona and 17-time winner Madrid are on course to meet in the April 20 final, which comes three days after they meet in a key league match.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola did not want to take things for granted despite his team's big lead.
"This is clearly an excellent result, but we are still not in the final," he said. "We have players for this. We create chances to score."
In Seville, days of goading provided a charged atmosphere as Sevilla pressed forward early but Benzema's class put the visitors in control.
The striker's second game-winning goal in two games came after a week when his teammates and coach Jose Mourinho demanded more from the Frenchman. Madrid brought Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City on loan on Tuesday to fill in for the injured Gonzalo Higuain, but Benzema showed he will be an asset to Madrid down the stretch after his individual effort.
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