Five Star Messi Steers Barça Towards Final (5-2)

Five Star Messi Steers Barça Towards Final (5-2)
FC Barcelona took a huge stride towards the final of the Copa del Rey after a spectacular victory against Getafe thanks to two fine goals from Lionel Messi and one each from Xavi, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Samuel Eto’o.
In a superb display in the first leg of the semi final, the Blaugrana produced some flowing football and some stunning goals as Bernd Schuster’s side saw a brief comeback undone. The first half belonged to Messi as the Argentinian forward produced a breath-taking goal that was reminiscent of Diego Maradona in his prime and scored a second having already set up Xavi for the opener. The visitors made things tense after the break as they pulled themselves back into contention with two goals in three minutes, but Barça soon regained control and restored their cushion. Xavi breaks the deadlock During a fairly even start to proceedings there was no evidence of the drama about to unfold. Getafe began looking to attack and Javi Casquero registered the first shot on target after just three minutes, but the home side’s stand-in stopper, Albert Jorquera was equal to the effort. Rijkaard’s outfit then discovered their touch and soon began to dominate possession in midfield and it soon bore fruit. In the 19th minute Messi supplied Xavi with a pass in the area and the Terrassa-born midfielder span on the ball before clipping it into the far side of the net. Goal of the season Chances were at a premium after that opener until Messi produced his moment of magic. The 19-year-old picked up the ball, just before the half hour mark, in his own half and span away from his markers before setting off towards the Getafe penalty area where he skipped past three more defenders before rounding Luís García and slotting home from an acute angle. The goal reminded some of Maradona’s strike in the high pressure World Cup quarter final against England in 1986. Messi again Messi was not finished there, however, and another piece of skill moments before the half-time break saw Barça move into a three-goal lead. Deco cut in from the left of the area before picking out the number 19 with a pass and, after leaving Alexis grounded, fired the ball into the top right-hand corner of Getafe’s net. Getafe comeback The Blaugrana looked to be cruising, but Schuster’s team were prepared for a fightback. Daniel Güiza pounced on a rebound to score, after Jorquera palmed Casquero’s free-kick away, and within two minutes the gap was reduced even further. This time Güiza was the provider as his low cross travelled behind the back-tracking Barça defence and Nacho arrived to drive the ball into the goal via Gianluca Zambrotta’s back. Bouncebackability While the visitors looked to be back in the tie, FC Barcelona were preparing a comeback of their own and stunned their opponents by netting a fourth soon after conceding. A corner from the right was flicked on by Rafael Márquez and Gudjohnsen arrived to volley home from 12 yards out. Goal number five arrived in the 74th minute when Alexis was exposed again as Eto’o span away from him on the edge of the area before hammering the ball past Luís García. The second leg in three weeks will, no doubt, still see Barça wanting to go out and attack, but this first leg result has seen them take a huge stride towards booking their place in the final against either Deportivo or Sevilla.