MADRID
Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter final on Wednesday night to advance to the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate.
Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres scored an early goal for his team. In the first minute of the match, Torres skipped Barcelona's Argentine defender Javier Mascherano and took a shot. The ball hit the bar and went in, 1-0.
In the ninth minute, visitors Barcelona equalized with a counter attack when Brazilian forward Neymar scored from inside the box, 1-1. Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez made the assist.
In the 28th minute, Atletico defender Juanfran was brought down by Mascherano in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Raul Garcia successfully converted the penalty and home team Atletico Madrid took the lead once again, 2-1.
Ten minutes later, Atletico Madrid defender Miranda scored an own goal. Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets flicked the ball towards the six yard box, but Miranda put the ball in his own net by accident, 2-2.
Barcelona came back in the 41st minute. Argentine star Lionel Messi passed the ball to his teammate Jordi Alba. Alba centered it for Neymar and the Brazilian forward easily found the back of the net, 3-2.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi was shown a red card during half time in the tunnel after arguing with Barcelona players.
In the 48th minute of the game, Atletico's Turkish winger, Arda Turan, threw his boot at a linesman in protest at the referee's decision to play on after he claimed that he was fouled. The boot missed the linesman, but the referee still showed Arda a yellow card.
Atletico midfielder Mario Suarez was sent off during the match for fouling his opponent. It was Suarez's second yellow card and Atletico Madrid were obliged to compete against Barcelona with nine men.
