Thrills as Barça make semis (3-2)

Thrills as Barça make semis (3-2)

Barça are through to the last four of the Copa for the third year in a row. They did that after winning a game that looked decided early in the second half.
But although three goals from Bojan (2) and Piqué had seen Barça into a clear lead, replies from Coro and Callejón meant there was suspense until the end. It took more than 120 minutes of this tie for the first goal to come.

But once Bojan had made it 1-0, there were plenty more thrills in store. Bojan then scored his second before Piqué saw Barça into a commanding 3-0 lead after 56 minutes. It looked like it was all over for Barça’s local rivals. But then a lucky goal from Coro and a terrific long range strike from Callejón meant the last twenty minutes were going to be a roasting affair. In yet another memorable cup match at the Camp Nou, Barça held on to make it into the semi finals, where Mallorca are already waiting for them.

Barça in possession

The game began as expected. Barça kept the ball at their feet, while Espanyol kept it tight at the back. The slow pace of the game was just what the visitors had hoped for, and Barça only had one early chance, a Gudjohnsen goal that was ruled out for offside in the 17th minute. Seven minutes later, a golden opportunity fell to Espanyol on a counter attack when an unmarked Jonathan shot high into the stands. There was no doubt that Barça were not getting everything their way, and things needed to be sorted out.

1-0 by Bojan

Which they were. Xavi started moving around more, and Alves and Sylvinho began to make themselves more available down the wings. That was just what Barça needed, and it was precisely from a cross from the sidelines delivered by the Brazilian that Bojan was able to break the deadlock by pouncing on the ball as it slipped out of Cristian Álvarez’s hands (min 34). It was a pure opportunist’s goal, and from that moment on, Barça looked considerably more confident, to the extent that it was one way traffic for the rest of the half. At least four more chances fell Barça’s way, although there was no further scoring before the break. Bojan and Piqué widen the gap

The game had barely restarted before it was 3-0. The first came off a splendid one-two involving Xavi and Bojan that ended with the latter subtly chipping the ball over and beyond the Espanyol keeper (min 48). That was Bojan’s second of the night, and shortly after there was more to come, this time from Piqué, who made it 3-0 with is first ever official goal for Barça, the assist in this case coming from the tireless Alves.

Espanyol don’t give up

It was time for the Camp Nou to start celebrating – it looked almost impossible for Espanyol to find a way back now. But then, just like against Numancia, Barça followed two early second half goals by conceding one at their own end. There was an element of luck involved, for the ball deflected off Puyol (who asked to be substituted shortly after), whereupon Coro was at hand to drive it home (min 58). Three goals in less than a quarter of an hour, but Barça had still come out best with a two-goal lead, and started trying to slow the pace of what was developing into a dangerously frenetic game. But, amazingly, the spirited Espanyol side scored again, this time from Callejón who surprised Pinto with a powerful effort from outside the box (min 68). All of a sudden the visitors were right back in it.

Iniesta the protagonist

Barça decided to do their best to wear down the clock with their trademark possession game, while Espanyol, now hungry for a miraculous third, pressed forward in search of more. At the other end, Barça had plenty of chances of their own to make it four. Iniesta was largely to thank for that, with no fewer than three near misses, while the attack was also fired up by the entry of Eto'o late in the game. Espanyol had resorted to desperate long balls by now, which Barça had little trouble dealing with, and gradually things wound up with a 3-2 win and a place in the semi finals for the third time in a row. Now only Mallorca stand between Barça and an appearance in the final.