MADRID: 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.
Eralier, Torres struck after just 38 seconds. Barca, however, 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. (Agencies)
