Barcelona take on Real in semifinals

Holders Barcelona set up a King’s Cup semifinal against arch-rivals Real Madrid after battling to a thrilling 4-2 second leg win over a stubborn Malaga at the Rosaleda on Thursday.

The La Liga leaders progressed 6-4 on aggregate, with goals from Pedro, Gerard Pique and late strikes from Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi putting them through after Malaga had twice drawn level.

The 2011 Cup winners Real host the first leg of the semifinal at the Bernabeu next week after Jose Mourinho’s side beat Valencia 3-1 on aggregate, despite having two players sent off in Wednesday’s 1-1 second-leg draw at the Mestalla.

On the other side of the draw, Atletico Madrid set up a last four encounter with Sevilla after drawing 1-1 at their city rivals Real Betis to progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Diego Costa scored a valuable away goal, to add to last week’s 2-0 victory at the Calderon, after a dreadful misunderstanding in the Betis defence just before halftime.

Barca took an early lead in Malaga when Dani Alves broke into the area and crossed for Pedro to head the opener in the ninth minute, but it only took Malaga three minutes to level. A quick-passing counter-attack ended with Joaquin slotting a low shot just beyond the diving Jose Manuel Pinto.

The teams struggled to keep their feet on the Rosaleda’s poor pitch but the chances fell for both sides as Malaga refused to let Barca settle.

Messi was denied in a one-on-one and Iniesta hit the crossbar but Pinto also had to be alert as the hosts showed some bite. Pique put Barca back in front, chesting down Iniesta’s cross and slotting into the corner just after the restart.

Barca were now in control but against the run of play, Roque Santa Cruz fired Malaga level again with a low shot off the far post in the 68th minute.

Iniesta combined with Cesc Fabregas for Barca’s wonderful third in the 76th minute, the former Arsenal captain spinning away from his marker to return the ball to Iniesta to score.

World Player of the Year Messi headed the fourth, Barca’s 100th goal of the season, with ten minutes to go, ending the game as a contest.