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Barcelona’s quest for a fifth straight Copa del Rey title will be decided on May 25 at the Estadio Benito Villamarín after Wednesday’s 3-0 semifinal second leg victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. The aggregate score remained 1-1 going into the second half, but a Luis Suarez brace and Raphael Varane own goal in the space of 23 minutes granted Barcelona passage to the final at the expense of its El Clásico rival.
Despite the heavy scoreline, it really wasn’t that straightforward for Barca. The first half was edged by Real Madrid with Vinícius Júnior going close to scoring on four occasions.
The 18-year-old is an electric player, but he shot over when presented with a clear opportunity from about 15 yards, had another attempt saved by the inspirational Marc-Andre ter Stegen, took a bad touch when played clean through on goal by Casemiro and then spooned a close-range effort over the goal.
Barcelona, on the other hand, failed to land a shot on target in the first half.
It was Ousmane Dembele who carved out the most dangerous opportunities from his wide position, but Keylor Navas was comfortable in goal. Here’s Dembele putting Dani Carvajal on his ass, a sign of things to come.
Remarkably, Messi was kept quiet for the entire 90 minutes. This would normally be a recipe for disaster for Barcelona.
One way of stopping Messi. #ClasicoTime pic.twitter.com/HZQp76GbT6
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 27, 2019
But five minutes after the restart, Barcelona scored with its first shot on target, and it was Dembele who provided the assist while Luis Suarez applied the finish.
For how bad the Uruguayan is in the Champions League, he’s the best No. 9 on the planet when it comes to domestic competition. It makes no sense.
Just after the opener, Real had an opportunity to score what would’ve been a deserved equalizer, but Sergio Reguilon’s header was brilliantly saved by Ter Stegen.
Side note: Marcelo was briefly enjoying himself while cheering on Reguilon, but he'd later be upset at all the goals Real was shipping.
@MarceloM12 is having fun on the bench #ClasicoTime #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/NL3YqC4JKM
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 27, 2019
In the 69th minute, Barcelona scored number two after a great cross from Dembele forced Varane into the own goal with Suarez lurking.
Four minutes later, Casemiro took down Suarez in the box, and the Uruguayan did the most disrespectful thing you can do at the home of your fiercest rivals: He pulled off a Panenka.
Navas had time to guess incorrectly, get back to his feet and watch the ball slowly float over the goal-line.
Remarkably, this will be Barcelona’s sixth straight Copa del Rey final. They haven’t lost in the competition since the 2014 final. The Blaugrana will play the winner of Thursday’s second leg between Real Betis and Valencia (2-2 on aggregate).
In the meantime, Real and Barca do it all again on Saturday, this time in LaLiga play.
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