Real Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona: Messi helped securing a new Cup final
Full-time: Real Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona
Goals: Lionel Messi (27′)
Match date: February 12, 2014
Stadium: Anoeta
Competition: Copa del Rey
Barcelona line-up: Valdés, Jordi Alba, Mascherano, Piqué, Daniel Alves, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi, Pedro.
Barcelona are through into the Copa del Rey‘s final, after getting past Real Sociedad with a 3-1 result on aggregate. This Wednesday, the Blaugrana placed the final stamp in this tie, after coming out the Anoeta stadium with a 1-1 result. Lionel Messi proved again he’s completely recovered from his injury and that he’s ready to carry this Barça team on his shoulders as every fan expects from him in the very important months we have ahead of us.
The visitors reached the first goal around the 27th minute of the first half, after a long clearance made by Daniel Alves led a Real Sociedad defender to make a mistake and deliver the ball to Lionel Messi close the midfield line of the pitch. The Argentina international picked the ball up, started moving forward towards Real Sociead‘s box and as he got surrounded by 4 or 5 defenders closing on him, he managed to find room to sneak in a shot and put his side on the lead.
With that away goal, Barcelona had immediately forced Real Sociedad to have to score 4 goals in what we had left to be played in the game, if they still wanted to have any chance of going through to the Copa del Rey final. However, the deal was virtually sealed already and the hosts reaction came in too late in the game, with an equalizer scored by the France international, Antoine Griezmann, around the 87th minute.
Barcelona are therefore in the Cup‘s final, where they will have to meet Real Madrid, who also got rid of their semi-final opponents, Atletico. The Real Madrid vs Barcelona cup “Clasico” will be played on April 19, 2014, in the Mestalla (Valencia‘s stadium).
As for Neymar, the Brazilian still didn’t have any minutes this Wednesday, but hopefully he’ll be back this Saturday for Barça‘s league fixture.
Sources: fcbarcelona.com / theguardian.com