* Barca cruising after goals from Pedro and Alves
* Real mount dramatic fightback but Barca hold on (Recasts with Barca-Real result)
Barcelona dealt Real Madrid another body blow when they held off their arch rivals to draw 2-2 in a dramatic King's Cup quarter-final second leg on Wednesday and send the holders out 4-3 on aggregate.
After Barca won last week's first leg in Madrid 2-1, Real came out swinging and probably had the better of the opening exchanges before Lionel Messi released substitute Pedro to open the scoring in the 43rd minute in front of almost 100,000 spectators at a raucous Nou Camp stadium.
Daniel Alves netted a spectacular second in first-half added time when he ran on to a loose ball and sent a thunderous drive arrowing past Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas into the top corner.
Barca appeared to be in total control but Real mounted a rousing late fightback.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the extra-time winner when Real beat Barca 1-0 in last year's Cup final, sped on to Mesut Ozil's pass and finished past Jose Manuel Pinto just over 20 minutes from time and Barca were reeling when substitute Karim Benzema levelled four minutes later.
Both sides had chances in the frenetic final stages before Real centre back Sergio Ramos was shown a second yellow card and was sent off as Barca ran down the clock to set up a semi-final against Valencia or Levante.
Comment 1 - 1 of 1
The footballing side prevailed, but Barca should not have dropped their guard to let RM get anywhere near level. Ref was harsh with Ramos, but when you are already on a yellow you shouldn't give the ref even a doubt; its here were the aggressive tactics get seen through. Mourinho will spout the usual after this game, its all he can do as his frustration and being shut-out by Barca at every turn. Hope RM regain their ethics and find a respectable manager.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account