Chris Maduewesi
Member
Barcelona have qualified for the semifinals of the Copa Del Rey competition after beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 (4-2 aggregate) to go through.
Coach Luis Enrique's team came out victorious in a feisty match that saw tempers flared up as both teams went for each other's jugular.
Neymar was the star of the night, contributing with a brace that lifted Barca over a hard-fighting Atletico that knocked them all through the match.
Atletico got the best possible start that they would have hoped for scoring inside the first minute of the return match at the Calderon.
And it was Fernando Torres who netted the goal, yet again proving his resurgent form since returning to the club.
Neymar equalised, but Atletico got their noses in front through Raul Garcia's penalty, however they couldn't sustain the lead as Miranda got an own-goal and Neymar added his second goal of the night before the break.
A bust-up in the tunnel during half-time resulted in Atletico's skipper Gabi being shown a red card.
The second half became more problematic as tackles continued flying in, especially from Atletico, and it was not surprising when Mario Suarez was shown a second yellow card which further depleted his team to nine men.
It was a tall order as Atletico couldn't come back and there was no stopping Barca who have now qualified for the semis.
Coach Luis Enrique's team came out victorious in a feisty match that saw tempers flared up as both teams went for each other's jugular.
Neymar was the star of the night, contributing with a brace that lifted Barca over a hard-fighting Atletico that knocked them all through the match.
Atletico got the best possible start that they would have hoped for scoring inside the first minute of the return match at the Calderon.
And it was Fernando Torres who netted the goal, yet again proving his resurgent form since returning to the club.
Neymar equalised, but Atletico got their noses in front through Raul Garcia's penalty, however they couldn't sustain the lead as Miranda got an own-goal and Neymar added his second goal of the night before the break.
A bust-up in the tunnel during half-time resulted in Atletico's skipper Gabi being shown a red card.
The second half became more problematic as tackles continued flying in, especially from Atletico, and it was not surprising when Mario Suarez was shown a second yellow card which further depleted his team to nine men.
It was a tall order as Atletico couldn't come back and there was no stopping Barca who have now qualified for the semis.
