Thursday 28 January 2016

Celta Clinch Copa del Rey Semi


Celta Vigo eliminated Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a 3-2 victory at the Vicente Calderón.

Pablo Hernández scored twice as Celta upset Atlético, who had lost only once in their previous 24 games, to reach the semi-final.

Following a goalless draw in the first leg, the Atlético coach, Diego Simeone, again left striker Jackson Martínez on the bench with Luciano Vietto partnering Antoine Griezmann in attack. Both sides have struggled for goals in recent games – Atlético’s 0-0 draw with Sevilla on Sunday cost them the lead in La Liga.

Atlético’s Koke struck an early shot just wide and Saúl Ñíguez had an effort saved by Ruben Blanco before Celta took a surprise lead with Hernández given space to head in a Fabian Orellana cross.

Griezmann slotted home after a Yannick Carrasco shot was parried into his path by Blanco but Celta took charge of the match at the start of the second half.

Saúl gave the ball away to John Guidetti who powered home a 25-metre drive and Correa struck the crossbar at the other end before Hernández got his second with a header from Hugo Mallo’s cross.

Correa finished clinically after a fine run to make it 3-2 but Celta held out, despite being pinned back in the closing stages, to reach the semi-final of the cup for the first time in 15 years.


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