COPA DEL REY FINAL
Three goals in a devastating nine-minute spell at the start of the second half saw Barcelona to a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday and the first of three possible titles.
Barcelona celebrate during the 4-1 win
Yaya Toure levelled for Barca in the first half before Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Xavi struck after the break to give the club their 25th Copa del Rey.
The Catalans could wrap up the Primera Liga title this weekend and they face Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 27.
"Now we are reaping the rewards of all the hard work we have put in during the season," Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told Spanish state television as the team celebrated on the pitch.
"I hope this weekend we can secure our second title."
Barca had an unfamiliar look in defence with reserve keeper Jose Manuel Pinto in goal and Yaya Toure at centre back again, and they were quickly exposed at a set piece.
Pinto had tipped a Javi Martinez shot round the post and Fran Yeste made it count. His whipped-in corner after nine minutes found Gaizka Toquero rising above two defenders to head in at the back post.
Athletic looked fresher, snapping at Barca all over the pitch, until Toure stepped up to level in spectacular fashion as he advanced out of defence.
The Ivory Coast midfielder went past three Bilbao players in the 31st minute, and from outside the area drilled a low shot inside the near post.
Gradually Barca asserted themselves and as they swarmed round the Bilbao area in the 55th minute it was Messi who struck, firing through a crowd of legs after Gorka Iraizoz could only parry Samuel Eto'o's shot.
Three minutes later, Bojan raced through on a break to score off the far post and with Bilbao reeling Xavi curled a superb freekick over the wall and in off the near post in the 64th.
Just before Xavi's goal the match was held up briefly after Barcelona defender Daniel Alves was hit on the head by a tin can thrown from the stands.
Alves was able to continue and television pictures showed police leading a fan away.
Athletic were a broken team after that, but earn a place in next season's Europa League with Barca's place in the Champions League assured for next year.
Showing posts with label King Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label King Cup. Show all posts
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Barca seeking boost in King's Cup semi-final
Under-pressure Barcelona face an improved Real Mallorca side in Wednesday's King's Cup semi-final second leg (2100 GMT) as they attempt to break their run of four matches without a win in all competitions.
The Primera Liga leaders have a 2-0 advantage from last month's first leg at the Nou Camp but in contrast to Barcelona's recent poor showing, Mallorca have won their last three league matches and moved out of the relegation places into 16th.
Barca defender Silvinho said the poor results, including Sunday's 4-3 loss at Atletico Madrid when the Catalans twice surrendered the lead, would not affect their performance.
"This is a different competition and we won't be suffering from any damage to our spirits because of what happened on Sunday," the Brazilian said on Barca's website (www.fcbarcelona.com).
"It could be a problem if we think about the result in the first leg so we have to play our normal game and concentrate on attacking to win the match but it will be difficult."
They were confident of reaching May's final, he added, when they will face either Athletic Bilbao or Sevilla, who play in Bilbao earlier on Wednesday (1900).
Barca's advantage over champions Real Madrid in the league was 12 points when they won the Cup first leg on Feb. 5 but the form that helped them amass 65 goals and concede just 15 in the 21 league matches up to that point has deserted them.
They now lead Real by just four points in the standings and Mallorca's Venezuelan forward Juan Arango, who scored the winner in the club's 1-0 win at Sporting Gijon on Sunday, said Barca were clearly not invincible.
"We are just one step away from the final and we will make an incredible effort to get there," he told the club's website (www.rcdmallorca.es).
Sevilla won the first leg of their tie against Athletic Bilbao 2-1 and came back from a goal down to win 2-1 at the San Mames in the league on Saturday.
Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute scored a stylish double in that match against an understrength Athletic but said Wednesday's game will have a completely different complexion to their league clash.
"But we are confident and they will be more nervous than us," the Mali international said on the club's website (www.sevillafc.es). "We have a comfortable advantage and we won't be intimidated by the atmosphere."
Thursday, February 5, 2009
King Cup: Barca ease through Copa semi-final first-leg win
Barcelona 2 - 0 Mallorca
A Thierry Henry header and a curled freekick from Rafael Marquez gave Barcelona a 2-0 win over Real Mallorca in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday.
The Primera Liga leaders dominated the early stages at the Nou Camp and teenage striker Bojan Krkic and midfielder Andres Iniesta both went close before Henry struck in the 35th minute.
Bojan clipped over an inch-perfect cross from the right and the French international leapt between two defenders to nod past Mallorca goalkeeper German Lux.
Marquez stepped up in the 73rd minute to take the freekick after Iniesta was brought down just outside the area and the Mexican defender bent the ball over the wall and into the top left corner. In Wednesday's semi-final first leg, 2007 winners Sevilla fought back from a goal down to beat visiting Athletic Bilbao 2-1 thanks to Lautaro Acosta's injury-time winner.
The second legs are scheduled for the first week of March and the final is on May 13 in Valencia.
A Thierry Henry header and a curled freekick from Rafael Marquez gave Barcelona a 2-0 win over Real Mallorca in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday.
The Primera Liga leaders dominated the early stages at the Nou Camp and teenage striker Bojan Krkic and midfielder Andres Iniesta both went close before Henry struck in the 35th minute.
Bojan clipped over an inch-perfect cross from the right and the French international leapt between two defenders to nod past Mallorca goalkeeper German Lux.
Marquez stepped up in the 73rd minute to take the freekick after Iniesta was brought down just outside the area and the Mexican defender bent the ball over the wall and into the top left corner. In Wednesday's semi-final first leg, 2007 winners Sevilla fought back from a goal down to beat visiting Athletic Bilbao 2-1 thanks to Lautaro Acosta's injury-time winner.
The second legs are scheduled for the first week of March and the final is on May 13 in Valencia.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Barcelona, Sevilla through to King's Cup semis
Barcelona and Sevilla claimed the final two places in the King's Cup semi-finals on Thursday, Barca knocking out city rivals Espanyol 3-2 and Sevilla coming through on away goals against holders Valencia.
Sevilla, the 2007 winners, will play Athletic Bilbao for a place in May's final in Valencia, while Barca take on Real Mallorca.
Espanyol had held Barca to a goalless draw in the first leg, but a mistake by Cristian Alvarez gifted the league leaders their opening goal at the Nou Camp on 35 minutes.
The Espanyol goalkeeper dived to block an innocuous-looking shot from Silvinho but could only divert it into the path of Bojan Krkic, who sidefooted into the empty net.
Bojan scored a well-taken second just after the break and defender Gerard Pique made it 3-0 when he nodded home a Daniel Alves cross.
A deflected shot from Ferran Corominas and a spectacular long-range drive from Jose Callejon gave Espanyol hope but they were unable to find the goal that would have taken them through.
They ended the match with 10 men after the referee showed defender Daniel Jarque a second yellow card in added time.
Sebastien Squillaci scored a dramatic last-minute winner as Sevilla came from behind to earn a 2-1 home win over Valencia and edge through on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate.
Valencia looked to be cruising when a header from captain Carlos Marchena put them in front but Frederic Kanoute equalised with a header before the break.
Sevilla missed several chances before Frenchman Squillaci hooked Renato's corner in from close range in the 90th minute.
Coach Manolo Jimenez predicted it would be difficult to get past Athletic in the semi-finals and noted the Basque side had won the Cup 23 times, one fewer than record winners Barca.
"Athletic are just as hard to beat as Valencia, because they are a side with history, they have won a lot of Cups and have been on a long unbeaten run," he told a news conference.
The semi-finals take place over two legs, with the first leg next week and the second in the first week of March.
Sevilla, the 2007 winners, will play Athletic Bilbao for a place in May's final in Valencia, while Barca take on Real Mallorca.
Espanyol had held Barca to a goalless draw in the first leg, but a mistake by Cristian Alvarez gifted the league leaders their opening goal at the Nou Camp on 35 minutes.
The Espanyol goalkeeper dived to block an innocuous-looking shot from Silvinho but could only divert it into the path of Bojan Krkic, who sidefooted into the empty net.
Bojan scored a well-taken second just after the break and defender Gerard Pique made it 3-0 when he nodded home a Daniel Alves cross.
A deflected shot from Ferran Corominas and a spectacular long-range drive from Jose Callejon gave Espanyol hope but they were unable to find the goal that would have taken them through.
They ended the match with 10 men after the referee showed defender Daniel Jarque a second yellow card in added time.
Sebastien Squillaci scored a dramatic last-minute winner as Sevilla came from behind to earn a 2-1 home win over Valencia and edge through on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate.
Valencia looked to be cruising when a header from captain Carlos Marchena put them in front but Frederic Kanoute equalised with a header before the break.
Sevilla missed several chances before Frenchman Squillaci hooked Renato's corner in from close range in the 90th minute.
Coach Manolo Jimenez predicted it would be difficult to get past Athletic in the semi-finals and noted the Basque side had won the Cup 23 times, one fewer than record winners Barca.
"Athletic are just as hard to beat as Valencia, because they are a side with history, they have won a lot of Cups and have been on a long unbeaten run," he told a news conference.
The semi-finals take place over two legs, with the first leg next week and the second in the first week of March.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
King's Cup: Espanyol hold Barca, Valencia beat Sevilla
uan Mata's deflected late strike gave holders Valencia a 3-2 victory over 2007 winners Sevilla in the first leg of their King's Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
In the night's other first leg, a second-string Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at city rivals Espanyol, who put on a solid, morale-boosting performance for new coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Mata grabbed a valuable lead for Valencia before next week's return leg in Seville when he picked up the ball in the area in the 86th minute and unleashed a low drive that spooned up off defender Sebastien Squillaci into the net.
A defensive howler by Adriano Correia had gifted Valencia their opening goal after five minutes. Striker David Villa intercepted the Brazilian's wayward back pass, rounded Palop and drove the ball into the empty net from a narrow angle.
The Spain international was forced to leave the pitch shortly afterwards with an injury to his left hamstring and was replaced by Fernando Morientes.
Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez brought on winger Diego Capel at the break and his cross from the right created the equaliser.
Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita rushed off his line but the 21-year-old missed his attempted punch and Luis Fabiano leapt to nod the ball home.
The Valencia players were furious with the officials after Correia made it 2-1 on 67 minutes.
Replays showed the Brazilian was several metres offside when the ball was played through but the referee allowed the goal to stand after Correia sent a crisp finish past Guaita.
Ruben Baraja equalised in the 84th minute with a low shot and Valencia's efforts to find a winner were rewarded when Joaquin released Mata to score two minutes later.
Valencia coach Unai Emery said the error by the referee's assistant had been hard to take but he was more worried by the number of goals his side were leaking recently.
"Generally I am satisfied but we had a bad patch in the second half, not for the first time this season," he told reporters.
Villa was doubtful for Sunday's Primera Liga match at Real Mallorca, he added.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola opted to leave key players including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Samuel Eto'o out of the starting line-up and the league leaders struggled to break down Espanyol's stubborn resistance.
Not even the introduction of Messi and Xavi midway through the second half could open up the home side's defence and the match stuttered to a draw.
Athletic Bilbao host Sporting Gijon and Real Betis play at Real Mallorca in Thursday's quarter-finals.
In the semi-finals, the winners of the Espanyol-Barca tie will play Mallorca or Betis for a place in May's final and Valencia or Sevilla will take on Athletic or Sporting.
In the night's other first leg, a second-string Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at city rivals Espanyol, who put on a solid, morale-boosting performance for new coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Mata grabbed a valuable lead for Valencia before next week's return leg in Seville when he picked up the ball in the area in the 86th minute and unleashed a low drive that spooned up off defender Sebastien Squillaci into the net.
A defensive howler by Adriano Correia had gifted Valencia their opening goal after five minutes. Striker David Villa intercepted the Brazilian's wayward back pass, rounded Palop and drove the ball into the empty net from a narrow angle.
The Spain international was forced to leave the pitch shortly afterwards with an injury to his left hamstring and was replaced by Fernando Morientes.
Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez brought on winger Diego Capel at the break and his cross from the right created the equaliser.
Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita rushed off his line but the 21-year-old missed his attempted punch and Luis Fabiano leapt to nod the ball home.
The Valencia players were furious with the officials after Correia made it 2-1 on 67 minutes.
Replays showed the Brazilian was several metres offside when the ball was played through but the referee allowed the goal to stand after Correia sent a crisp finish past Guaita.
Ruben Baraja equalised in the 84th minute with a low shot and Valencia's efforts to find a winner were rewarded when Joaquin released Mata to score two minutes later.
Valencia coach Unai Emery said the error by the referee's assistant had been hard to take but he was more worried by the number of goals his side were leaking recently.
"Generally I am satisfied but we had a bad patch in the second half, not for the first time this season," he told reporters.
Villa was doubtful for Sunday's Primera Liga match at Real Mallorca, he added.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola opted to leave key players including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Samuel Eto'o out of the starting line-up and the league leaders struggled to break down Espanyol's stubborn resistance.
Not even the introduction of Messi and Xavi midway through the second half could open up the home side's defence and the match stuttered to a draw.
Athletic Bilbao host Sporting Gijon and Real Betis play at Real Mallorca in Thursday's quarter-finals.
In the semi-finals, the winners of the Espanyol-Barca tie will play Mallorca or Betis for a place in May's final and Valencia or Sevilla will take on Athletic or Sporting.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Barca and Sevilla advance to King's Cup quarters
Barcelona joined Sevilla and Valencia in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup on Wednesday as goals from Bojan Krkic and Eidur Gudjohnsen gave them a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in their second leg at the Nou Camp.
The Primera Liga leaders will face city rivals Espanyol in the last eight, Sevilla play Valencia, Real Mallorca take on Real Betis and Sporting Gijon will face either Athletic Bilbao or Osasuna, who play their second leg on Thursday.
Atletico sparked hopes of an unlikely comeback from their 3-1 defeat in last week's first leg in Madrid when striker Florent Sinama Pongolle headed them in front on 24 minutes.
But their chances were effectively snuffed out only a minute later when Krkic leapt to nod Silvinho's cross into the top corner past Gregory Coupet.
Atletico's woes were compounded when Sergio Aguero had to be replaced midway through the second half with the Argentine striker in some discomfort from what appeared to be leg cramps.
Barca made sure of progress soon after when Gudjohnsen drove the ball into the net after good work from Andres Iniesta down the left, condemning the visitors to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
Luis Fabiano scored twice for Sevilla as the 2007 Cup winners brushed Deportivo Coruna aside 3-0 to run out 5-1 winners on aggregate.
But holders Valencia needed extra time to see off Racing Santander 3-1, two goals from Vicente and one from Joaquin sending them through to the last eight 4-2 on aggregate after both the first leg and the opening 90 minutes had ended 1-1.
Sevilla took the lead at Deportivo in the opening minute when Jesus Navas volleyed home a cross from winger Diego Capel.
A couple of calamitous Depor defensive errors then gifted Luis Fabiano two goals to leave Sevilla 3-0 up at halftime.
The Brazilian robbed defender Diego Colotto and rounded goalkeeper Fabricio for his first with just over 20 minutes gone and then a collision between Colotto and Adrian Lopez let him in to score a second just before the break.
Sevilla finished the match with 10 men after keeper Andres Palop was sent off for felling Colotto in the area with around five minutes left.
Sevilla's Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton, just back from injury, pulled on the keeper's shirt and watched Pablo Alvarez skew his shot off the post and wide.
In Valencia, Gonzalo Colsa equalised for Racing in the 21st minute, shortly after Vicente had given the home side the lead from the penalty spot, but neither side was able to find a winner in regular time.
Oriol Lozano's misplaced backpass in the first period of extra time allowed Vicente to run through and lift the ball over Tono for Valencia's second and Joaquin sealed the win with a superb finish to a swift break.
In other second legs, Segunda B (third tier) teams Poli Ejido and Real Union were eliminated by Espanyol and Real Betis respectively, although Espanyol needed the away goals rule to progress after Wednesday's tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
Jorge Garcia's header in added time sent Sporting through at the expense of Real Valladolid with a 4-3 aggregate win, and Mallorca drew 1-1 at Almeria to give them a 4-2 win over the two legs.
Athletic host Osasuna on Thursday with the pair tied at 1-1 in the one remaining last 16 tie. The quarter-finals take place in the next two weeks.
The Primera Liga leaders will face city rivals Espanyol in the last eight, Sevilla play Valencia, Real Mallorca take on Real Betis and Sporting Gijon will face either Athletic Bilbao or Osasuna, who play their second leg on Thursday.
Atletico sparked hopes of an unlikely comeback from their 3-1 defeat in last week's first leg in Madrid when striker Florent Sinama Pongolle headed them in front on 24 minutes.
But their chances were effectively snuffed out only a minute later when Krkic leapt to nod Silvinho's cross into the top corner past Gregory Coupet.
Atletico's woes were compounded when Sergio Aguero had to be replaced midway through the second half with the Argentine striker in some discomfort from what appeared to be leg cramps.
Barca made sure of progress soon after when Gudjohnsen drove the ball into the net after good work from Andres Iniesta down the left, condemning the visitors to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
Luis Fabiano scored twice for Sevilla as the 2007 Cup winners brushed Deportivo Coruna aside 3-0 to run out 5-1 winners on aggregate.
But holders Valencia needed extra time to see off Racing Santander 3-1, two goals from Vicente and one from Joaquin sending them through to the last eight 4-2 on aggregate after both the first leg and the opening 90 minutes had ended 1-1.
Sevilla took the lead at Deportivo in the opening minute when Jesus Navas volleyed home a cross from winger Diego Capel.
A couple of calamitous Depor defensive errors then gifted Luis Fabiano two goals to leave Sevilla 3-0 up at halftime.
The Brazilian robbed defender Diego Colotto and rounded goalkeeper Fabricio for his first with just over 20 minutes gone and then a collision between Colotto and Adrian Lopez let him in to score a second just before the break.
Sevilla finished the match with 10 men after keeper Andres Palop was sent off for felling Colotto in the area with around five minutes left.
Sevilla's Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton, just back from injury, pulled on the keeper's shirt and watched Pablo Alvarez skew his shot off the post and wide.
In Valencia, Gonzalo Colsa equalised for Racing in the 21st minute, shortly after Vicente had given the home side the lead from the penalty spot, but neither side was able to find a winner in regular time.
Oriol Lozano's misplaced backpass in the first period of extra time allowed Vicente to run through and lift the ball over Tono for Valencia's second and Joaquin sealed the win with a superb finish to a swift break.
In other second legs, Segunda B (third tier) teams Poli Ejido and Real Union were eliminated by Espanyol and Real Betis respectively, although Espanyol needed the away goals rule to progress after Wednesday's tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
Jorge Garcia's header in added time sent Sporting through at the expense of Real Valladolid with a 4-3 aggregate win, and Mallorca drew 1-1 at Almeria to give them a 4-2 win over the two legs.
Athletic host Osasuna on Thursday with the pair tied at 1-1 in the one remaining last 16 tie. The quarter-finals take place in the next two weeks.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Slumping Atletico face trip to Barca
After three defeats in a week and calls from fans for coach Javier Aguirre to be sacked, Atletico Madrid face a daunting trip to Barcelona for Wednesday's King's Cup last 16 second leg needing to overturn a 3-1 deficit.
The Catalans humbled Atletico in the first leg last Tuesday thanks to a superb hat-trick from Lionel Messi and the Argentine forward was on target again on Sunday, hitting the winner in the 3-2 Primera Liga win at Osasuna.
The Atletico players have rallied round Aguirre. Goalkeeper Leo Franco said criticism from fans after Sunday's 3-2 woeful home loss to Athletic Bilbao was unfair while defender Antonio Lopez called for patience.
"The players are the ones who are to blame because he (Aguirre) is not out there on the pitch," Franco said on the club's website.
"We need to try to get back on the winning trail and then I am sure the cat calls directed at the coach will stop."
Atletico's task of stopping Messi and Barca's other prolific forwards, including the league's top scorer Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry, will be complicated by the absence of central defender John Heitinga.
The Dutchman is suspended for one match after he was sent off in the first leg for felling Messi in the penalty area, but Franco said he and his team mates still believed they had a chance of making it through to the quarter-finals.
"We are not going there for a stroll," he said. "We are confident of our chances and I sincerely believe we can do it."
In other Cup second legs on Wednesday, Sevilla travel to Deportivo Coruna with a 2-1 lead from the first leg having also beaten the Galicians 3-1 in the league at the weekend.
Holders Valencia host Racing Santander level at 1-1 and Real Valladolid need to reverse a 3-1 loss at Sporting Gijon in the first leg having also lost to them 2-1 in Sunday's league game.
Struggling Real Mallorca, thumped 3-0 by Real Madrid on Sunday, will be defending a 3-1 advantage at Almeria.
There are two non-Primera Liga teams left in the competition, Segunda B (third tier) sides Poli Ejido and Real Union, conquerors of Real Madrid in the previous round.
Poli Ejido travel to Barcelona looking to defend a 3-2 advantage over Espanyol while Real Union play Real Betis in Seville trailing 1-0.
In Thursday's one remaining match, Osasuna, currently bottom of the league, and Athletic Bilbao are tied at 1-1 following the first leg in Pamplona.
The Catalans humbled Atletico in the first leg last Tuesday thanks to a superb hat-trick from Lionel Messi and the Argentine forward was on target again on Sunday, hitting the winner in the 3-2 Primera Liga win at Osasuna.
The Atletico players have rallied round Aguirre. Goalkeeper Leo Franco said criticism from fans after Sunday's 3-2 woeful home loss to Athletic Bilbao was unfair while defender Antonio Lopez called for patience.
"The players are the ones who are to blame because he (Aguirre) is not out there on the pitch," Franco said on the club's website.
"We need to try to get back on the winning trail and then I am sure the cat calls directed at the coach will stop."
Atletico's task of stopping Messi and Barca's other prolific forwards, including the league's top scorer Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry, will be complicated by the absence of central defender John Heitinga.
The Dutchman is suspended for one match after he was sent off in the first leg for felling Messi in the penalty area, but Franco said he and his team mates still believed they had a chance of making it through to the quarter-finals.
"We are not going there for a stroll," he said. "We are confident of our chances and I sincerely believe we can do it."
In other Cup second legs on Wednesday, Sevilla travel to Deportivo Coruna with a 2-1 lead from the first leg having also beaten the Galicians 3-1 in the league at the weekend.
Holders Valencia host Racing Santander level at 1-1 and Real Valladolid need to reverse a 3-1 loss at Sporting Gijon in the first leg having also lost to them 2-1 in Sunday's league game.
Struggling Real Mallorca, thumped 3-0 by Real Madrid on Sunday, will be defending a 3-1 advantage at Almeria.
There are two non-Primera Liga teams left in the competition, Segunda B (third tier) sides Poli Ejido and Real Union, conquerors of Real Madrid in the previous round.
Poli Ejido travel to Barcelona looking to defend a 3-2 advantage over Espanyol while Real Union play Real Betis in Seville trailing 1-0.
In Thursday's one remaining match, Osasuna, currently bottom of the league, and Athletic Bilbao are tied at 1-1 following the first leg in Pamplona.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
King's Cup: Messi treble gives Barca cup win over Atletico
A superb Lionel Messi hat-trick gave Barcelona a 3-1 win over 10-man Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last 16 King's Cup tie on Tuesday.
The Argentine forward, playing for the first time since the Christmas break, also hit the crossbar and many of the Atletico fans stood and applauded him when he was replaced near the end.
Barcelona made most of the early running at a chilly Vicente Calderon despite resting key players from the team who beat Real Mallorca at the weekend, including Xavi and Samuel Eto'o.
A deft piece of skill from Daniel Alves unlocked the Atletico defence for Messi's opening goal on 12 minutes.
The Argentine international played the ball inside and Alves sent a clever backheel through for him to run on and place a low shot past Gregory Coupet.
Atletico had to play with 10 men for most of the second half after defender John Heitinga felled Messi in the penalty area as he was racing to meet an Alves cross.
The referee showed the Dutchman a red card and Messi sent Coupet the wrong way to double Barca's lead before substitute Tomas Ujfalusi pulled a goal back just over 10 minutes later with a header from Simao Sabrosa's corner.
Messi completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes when he picked the ball up in the area, wrong-footed Coupet and lifted the ball into the roof of the net.
Seconds earlier, he had weaved his way through the Atletico defences and crashed a shot against the bar.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said his side, who lead the Primera Liga by 11 points, had made a big step towards the quarter-finals ahead of next week's second leg.
''I am very satisfied with the effort the players made tonight,'' he told a news conference. ''We kept up a good level of intensity and Messi was magnificent.''
Guardiola's counterpart at Atletico, Javier Aguirre, also paid tribute to Messi.
''He's playing at an extraordinary level. He also has a lot of confidence and that's very positive for his team,'' Aguirre said.
''We were never really in the game in the first half but in the second half we came out much more brightly.
''But going two down and also down to 10 men against Barca is very complicated. Let's see what happens next week.''
There are five more Cup first legs on Wednesday, including holders Valencia's trip to face Racing Santander and 2007 winners Sevilla's match at home to Deportivo Coruna.
The only remaining non-Primera Liga clubs Real Union and Poli Ejido of the Segunda B (third tier) are at home to Real Betis and Espanyol respectively.
The northern derby between the Primera Liga's bottom club Osasuna and 23-times winners Athletic Bilbao is on Thursday, when Mallorca host Hugo Sanchez's Almeria.
The second legs take place on January 14 and 15.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Spanish Cup: Krkic gives weakened Barca win
Teenage striker Bojan Krkic gave a second-string Barcelona side a 1-0 victory over third-tier Benidorm in a King's Cup last-32, first-leg match on Tuesday.
Barcelona, resting several key players including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, created a host of chances at a rain-drenched Municipal de Foietes stadium in Benidorm but were unable to break the deadlock until the second half.
The 18-year-old Krkic, who fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat in the first half, picked the ball up in midfield in the 54th minute, ran at the defence and curled a measured shot into the right-hand corner.
Barcelona have the most King's Cup triumphs with 24 but have not lifted the trophy since 1998. Last season, Valencia beat Getafe 3-1 in the final to claim their seventh Cup.
In Wednesday's ties, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, Portugalete of the Tercera division (fourth tier), play Primera Liga leaders Valencia.
The arrival of the top-flight clubs in the tournament also sees third-tier Real Union play league champions and 17-times winners Real Madrid on Thursday. Return matches are scheduled for Nov. 12.
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