Lionel Messi scored Barca’s 100th goal of the season as Tito Vilanova’s men set up a Copa del Rey semi-final Clasico against Real Madrid, beating Malaga 4-2 in an entertaining game on Friday night.
Barcelona managed to get an early lead as Pedro netted the opening goal of game in the 8th minute of opening faceoff but his effort was cancelled out by Joaquin just four minutes later. Both goalkeepers became successful to keep the score constant till the end of opening interval despite certain decent chances created by two sides.
Pique scored the second goal for Barcelona just after restart but the game was leveled once again when Roque Santa Cruz netted in 68th minute. It was Andres Iniesta who put Barcelona ahead for the third time before Lionel Messi sealed the victory, grabbing his 40th and club’s 100th goal of the season.
Barcelona and Malaga played a 2-2 draw in the 1st leg of Copa del Rey, they begin the 2nd leg with great spirit and created a number of scoring chances. Barca opened the scoreboard within eight minutes of game when Pedro picked out a dinked cross wonderfully and gave his side 1-0 lead with a cool finish.
The former Valencia winger Joaquin leveled the game for Malaga just four minutes later through his brilliant hit. He received a pass from Duda and smashed a shot into the bottom corner. Pique made an effort to clear the danger but failed.
In the twentieth minute, Duda ghosted into the opponent box and made an attempt to flick a cross to Santa Cruz but Pique prevented the danger brilliantly. Five minutes later, Malaga keeper came into action to keep scores level, Lionel Messi took the ball from Demichelis and moved it towards the rival’s goal but Kameni did well for making a remarkable save. Barcelona wasted a golden opportunity few minutes before half time as Iniesta curled a fine shot from 15 yards after exchanging a fantastic one-two with Messi but his effort was prevented.
The visitors managed to get one goal lead just after restart, Pique controlled Iniesta’s pass with his chest on the edge of the box and slotted the ball into the back of net to beat Kameni. Malaga player Santa Cruz tied up the match in the 68th minute through his perfect low finish from 18 yards.
Iniesta make it 3-0 for Barcelona, sliding a neat finish under Kameni before Lionel Messi put the Barca’s triumph beyond any doubt with his close range header.
