AFP
MADRID, January 29
Neymar bagged a double as Barcelona twice came from behind to book their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey with a 3-2 win over nine-man Atletico Madrid to seal a 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.
Raul Garcia briefly restored Atletico’s lead from the penalty spot, but Barca were in front by half-time thanks to a Miranda own goal and a wonderful counter-attack rounded off by Neymar. Atletico captain Gabi was then sent-off during half-time as players and coaches from both sides clashed at the end of the first period.
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, but did eventually see another red card when Mario Suarez picked up a second booking late on.
Torres scored twice in the first minute of each half of the second leg as Atletico dumped city rivals Real Madrid out of the competition in the previous round and he repeated the trick after just 38 seconds.
The former Chelsea striker latched onto Guilherme Siqueira’s clearance and skipped past Javier Mascherano before volleying in off the far post to register his first goal at the Vicente Calderon since rejoining his boyhood club.
Barca responded in fine style to that early blow, though, as a slick move sparked by Messi saw Luis Suarez release Neymar in behind the Atletico defence and he calmly slotted home for his 20th goal of the season.
Atletico were given a lifeline when Juanfran was bodychecked by Mascherano and Jesus Gil Manzano pointed to the spot despite the contact appearing to take place outside the area and Garcia confidently stepped up to slam home the spot-kick.
The lead again only lasted only eight minutes, though, as Miranda could only turn Messi’s corner into his own net.
The game then turned definitively in Barca’s favour when Manzano didn’t award a second penalty when Griezmann’s shot hit Jordi Alba on the arm.
Barca then broke upfield and Alba squared for Neymar to dance round Jan Oblak before rolling home his second goal of the evening.
Tempers flared when Manzano brought an exhilarating first-half to an end with Gabi failing to return for the second period having been sent-off in the tunnel.
Diego Simeone’s men were extremely fortunate to not then go down to nine men when Turan incredibly threw his boot at an assistant referee for failing to award the hosts a free-kick.
The Turkish international was shown a yellow card by Manzano, which should also mean he will escape retrospective punishment as the incident was seen by the referee.
Barca comfortably saw out the remaining 40 minutes by dominating possession and should have added to their tally when Messi shot straight at Oblak 20 minutes from time.
Suarez was then dismissed four minutes from the end when Messi was upended for the umpteenth time as Atletico continued to lose their discipline.
Next up for Barcelona will be a semifinal meeting with Villarreal or Getafe, who play the second leg of their quarterfinal on Thursday.
Gabi slams ‘irritating’ Neymar
The midfielder was dismissed during Wednesday night’s loss against Barca and has criticised the Brazilian’s provocative behaviour on the field.
Agencies
Barcelona, January 29
Atletico Madrid ace Gabi has hit out at the attitude of Barcelona attacker Neymar.
The 31-year-old midfielder was one of two Atleti players dismissed in an all-tempered affair at Vicente Calderon, which the Catalans won 3-2 to secure a berth in the Copa del Rey semi-finals thanks to a 4-2 aggregate triumph.
Gabi was sent off during the half-time interval following a spat with the Brazil striker and criticised his opponent’s on-field behaviour after the match.“He’s got an odd way of playing, particularly when he’s winning,” the former Spain Under-21 man told the media.
“He’s always making gestures on the field, especially when he’s in front. Nobody likes to lose and these things irritate you.”
Meanwhile, the Atletico man has protested that he was harshly dealt with regarding his red card, which came in the wake of the home side being denied a penalty when Antoine Griezmann’s shot was blocked by Jordi Alba’s arm. To compound their frustration, Barcelona broke up the field immediately and scored through Neymar.
“I said, ‘It was a penalty and a red card.’ That was my disrespect, according to [the referee]. I’m sorry for my team.”
“I think the referee has to have much more personality and more respect for the players.
“We are all wrong sometimes. To be just, acknowledge your mistakes.”
Barcelona will now go on and meet Getafe or Villarreal.
