Barcelona and Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at the Camp Nou in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg, and Barca advanced to the final, 3-2 on aggregate. That description does absolutely no service to what's just transpired in Catalonia.
This match included three red cards, a wrongfully disallowed goal, a ridiculous free kick from Messi that thundered off the crossbar, a contentious penalty, a missed penalty and all the other drama you’ve come to expect from a match between these two clubs.
The match started in the same vein as the final 20 minutes at the Calderon: Atletico were all over Barcelona as Jasper Cillessen superbly kept them off the board with three saves in the opening 17 minutes.
In the 43rd minute, some great work from Lionel Messi drew a save from Miguel Angel Moya, but he could only parry the ball straight to Luis Suarez. His tap-in didn’t change much for Atletico, they still needed to score twice.
GOAL! Barça now 3-1 up on agg. after @LuisSuarez9 pounces on loose ball. #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/Dthw6Z1EUg
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 7, 2017
In the 57th minute, Atletico Madrid were given the onus to attempt their comeback when Sergi Roberto was sent off for his second yellow card.
Taking a lump out of @filipeluis earns @SergiRoberto10 an early shower. pic.twitter.com/4zqnMdSRVA
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 7, 2017
Two minutes later, we looked sent for an absolute classic as Antoine Griezmann, clearly onside, was played through and finished superbly. However, the linesman was watching a different match than the rest of the planet and flagged for offside. But we were still treated to that classic.
NO GOAL! @AntoGriezmann incredulous with linesman after beating the offside trap and slotting home. #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/PBbmwzexMZ
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 7, 2017
Just 10 minutes later, Yannick Carrasco inexplicably got himself sent off after taking out Arda Turan. Diego Simeone will probably kill him tonight.
Another late challenge, another red card. This time @CarrascoY21 gets his marching orders for making @ArdaTuran airborne. #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/EjKfESG8oh
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 7, 2017
What followed was just as absurd. Messi struck a free kick off the crossbar that was just ridiculous.
Moya's goal frame is still shaking after @TeamMessi comes within inches o scoring another SCREAMER. #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/vqKRrurxWp
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 7, 2017
Gerard Pique conceded a contentious penalty, but Kevin Gameiro sent his shot off the crossbar and over.
But then Gameiro slightly redeemed himself shortly after by scoring off a Griezmann assist.
Hang on, we may have a game on our hands!!! @AntoGriezmann fizzes a ball across 6-yard box & @kevingameiro9 stirs it past @JasperCillessen. pic.twitter.com/jw1q2rAwOY
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 7, 2017
Then Suarez got sent off for an elbow, meaning he’ll miss the final.
No final for @LuisSuarez9. The ref produces a straight red for the Uruguayan's liberal use of his elbow. #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/7nQ5dBtVVx
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 7, 2017
Atletico Madrid came oh-so-close to equalizing on a couple of occasions, but the match ended with Messi charging at the Atletico defense by himself and getting scythed down, seeing Filipe Luis receive a yellow.
Sergio Busquets then punted the ball and was given a yellow. The ref blew for the final whistle because this was all just too much and needed to end.
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