FOOTBALL – Excitement as the first semi-final of the Copa del Rey took place. A tense match that went into extra time before one side claimed victory.
The first semi-finals of the Copa del Rey took place last night at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Sevilla went into the game two goals ahead on aggregate against FC Barcelona. It was a tense match with action from kick-off.
First half
Barcelona took the lead early on with a spectacular goal from Dembéle. Although the threat continued of a goal from Sevilla, Barcelona looked to be the better side. The constant attacking pressure on Sevilla made a 2nd goal seem within reach. However, the first half finished 1-0 to Barcelona.
Second half
The second half of this semi-final was evenly matched with both sides finding it difficult to keep possession and score. However, Sevilla rallied and were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute of the game following a hand ball in the box. Ocampos took the penalty, but Marc-André ter Stegen managed a fantastic save. The remainder of the second half continued franticly. Both teams desperate to score but also not to allow the opposition to score against them.
Injury time
Sevilla was in touching distance of victory when in injury time, Griezmann who came on as a substitute, crossed the ball and Piqué slammed it in the net with a header. This made all things equal.
With Barcelona winning 2-0 at the end of the 90minutes plus injury time, it meant the aggregate score was 2-2. With neither team scoring an away goal, it meant 30 minutes of extra time would be played.
Extra time
Then, four minutes into extra time, substitute Braithwaite made it 3-2 with an amazing diving header. With just over 25 minutes still to play and the prospect of penalties, both teams continued to battle at a furious pace but with no further goals.
Ultimately, FC Barcelona have bagged their place in the final. Tonight´s other semi-final game will decide who their opposition will be. Before this, however, the winners from last year´s Copa del Rey have yet to be decided. This was cancelled due to coronavirus as was mentioned in our previous article.
