Getafe trounced FC Barcelona 4-0 Thursday to overcome a
three-goal deficit and advance to the first Copa del Rey final in
its history.
Trailing 5-2 from the first leg, Getafe got two goals from
Daniel Guiza and one each from Javi Casquero and Angel Vivar Dorado
to advance 6-5 on aggregate, The Associated Press reported.
Getafe will now make a short trip to Real Madrid's Santiago
Bernabeu Stadium to play Sevilla in the final on June 23. Sevilla
completed a 5-0 aggregate win over Deportivo La Coruna on
Wednesday.
"What a match we played. The players, the club and the
supporters all deserve it. What a gift. You always have to believe
you're capable and you have to go for it," Getafe coach Bernd
Schuster told radio station Onda Cero.
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said his team had endured "a very
tough night."
"I feel terrible, as do all the players. We left a really bad
impression tonight. We began badly from the very first minute and
suffered a lot," Rijkaard said. "I'm not ashamed but I have to
apologize to all our club members, who will be very
disappointed."
Barcelona, which was seeking its first final in Spain's knockout
competition since 1998, is still in position to win its third
straight league title. It leads La Liga with five games remaining,
two points ahead of Real Madrid and four in front of Sevilla.
Barca, which did not use Lionel Messi who scored two of its
first-leg goals, didn't manage a shot on goal in a lifeless
first-half display.
Getafe, making its first appearance in the last four of the
competition, created several chances early although Guiza was
unable to capitalize.
Striker Maris Verpakovskis had an opportunity in the 16th while
left back Javier Paredes wasted another 12 minutes later.
Goalkeeper Albert Jorquera denied Guiza in the 38th minute, but
midfielder Casquero capitalized on the ensuing corner, hitting a
spinning, bouncing volley into the net for the first goal.
Guiza doubled the lead five minutes later, sending a shot that
deflected off defender Gianluca Zambrotta.
Getafe continued to dominate after halftime but Jorquera
thwarted Guiza in the 55th and 63rd minutes.
Rijkaard inserted forwards Eidur Gudjohnsen and Javier Saviola
only for midfielder Vivar Dorado to score Getafe's third goal in
the 71st.
Guiza doubled his tally two minutes later when he burst past
Edmilson and volleyed home for the aggregate winner.
Barcelona finally spurred its offense the closing stages but
Samuel Eto'o fired over the bar and Saviola shot wide.
(Shanghai Daily May 11, 2007)