Copa de Rey El Classico at the Camp Nou

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid overcame its fierce rival Barcelona 3-1 at the Camp Nou and 4-2 on aggregate to secure their place in the Copa del Rey final. Lionel Messi was inches away from opening the scoring with only 90 seconds on the clock as his instant control and shot on the turn from Pedro's cross flashed across Diego Lopez's goal and narrowly wide.

 

But it was Real who took the lead in the 13th minute when Ronaldo was sent down the wing by Gonzalo Higuain's, and with the Portugal ace drawing a foul from Gerard Pique in the box. While both Pique and Barcelona were infuriated with the call referee Undiano Mallenco's decision was absolutely correct. Ronaldo drilled the ball into the bottom corner and sent goaltender Jose Pinto the wrong way for his sixth successive Classico goal at Camp Nou.

 

Supports at the Camp Nou thought Barcelona had equalized approaching half-time as Messi rippled the outside of the net with a low free-kick. Real made it 2-0 on another counter-attack as a long ball out of defense was chased down by Angel Di Maria, who turned Carles Puyol inside and out and took a shot that was saved by the feet of Pinto, but the ball rebounded to the waiting Ronaldo to control and convert in the 57th minute for his 2nd of the match.Any hopes Barcelona had of mounting an improbable comeback were outdone when Raphael Varane, produced a towering header from a corner.

Real Madrid: 5 Players in Line to Be the Next Galactico

Neymar, the Brazilian forward who has been dubbed "the new Pele" has a lot of hype to live up to.  Known for his amazing dribbling ability, Neymar is more an individual than a team player. Comparing him to the top two in the world is a bit premature, but he's more in the style of Cristiano Ronaldo rather than Lionel Messi.

Leading the next generation of pint-sized Spanish midfield geniuses is Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez, or "Isco" as he is known in most parts of Spain. His work ethic and vision in the midfield make him a valuable asset, and his burst of pace, albeit not so great over a long distance, allows him to create space in the playmaker role.

David De Gea has shown many points of promise during his time with the Red Devils. Even despite his occasional gaffe, De Gea is going to be a top goalkeeper, there's no questioning that and with Iker Casillas' future at Real Madrid far from certain, De Gea could be tempted with a return to Madrid if the pressure gets the better of him at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid will always be wondering what could have been when it comes to Sergio Aguero.  56 Premier League games have seen Aguero assembly an impressive return of 32 goals.  Only the Real Madrid hierarchies know how close Aguero was to joining Los Merengues prior to his sale to Manchester City. 

It could be time for Edinson Cavani to leave Napoli as his record for Napoli has unsurprisingly seen their stock rise incredibly.  He has not even reached 100 games yet for Walter Mazzari's side, and he's already scored 67 goals.

Real Tie Man U 1-1 in Champions League Play

Cristiano Ronaldo was able to score against his former team but Manchester United will be the happier after a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at the Bernabeu. Real began the match by pressing Manchester’s defense and if not for a Fabio Coentrao effort onto the far post, Real would have taken the early lead.  History shows that a team under duress will take advantage of their limited opportunities and that’s exactly what Danny Welbeck was able to do for Manchester on its first corner kick of the match.  Although Ronaldo netted a first-half equalizer climbing over the defender for an uncontested free header from a Di Maria delivery and that is how it stayed to set up a fascinating second leg.

Jose Mourinho's side continued to dominate the ball after the break and Manchester’s keeper De Gea saved well with his feet from Coentrao on the hour mark.  Despite heavy pressure from Madrid, United remained a threat on the break as striker Van Persie had two consecutive chances to put United in front only to see his first shot hit the crossbar and the second cleared off the line by Xabi Alonso.

After a series of conservative substitutions from both managers in order to help ensure there teams did not concede the go ahead goal it sets up for an intriguing second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks' time.

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El Classico - Copa de Rey Semifinal at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Real Madrid and its fierce rival Barcelona played out to an electrifying 1-1 draw in their Copa del Rey semifinal. While Barcelona enjoyed the majority of the ball possession, the match grew in intensity with both teams counterattacking another at a rapid pace.  With Captain Madrid Iker Casillas injured with a broken hand, Jose Mourinho named team star Cristiano Ronaldo as captain.  The scoring opened with none other than Barcelona’s Lionel Messi intercepting a clearance and setting up Cesc Fabregas in the 50th minute. 19-year-old Raphael Varane closed an excellent game; heading an equalizer in the 81st. Madrid was able to suffocate Messi ending his prolific scoring streak in which he had found the back of the net in his previous 16 starts.

Madrid began the match attacking, and Gerard Pique fouled a charging Ronaldo in the first minute to concede a free kick. Barcelona then began to come into the game and its first chance came from a pass by Andres Iniesta that Joredi Alba ran onto, beating the offside trap, but he shot wide of the far post. Followed by Xavi Hernandez striking a free kick that hit the crossbar in the 21st.  The second half also began with Madrid attacking, but Karim Benzema shot was too high.  Madrid coach Jose Mourinho trying to revitalize his midfield brought on Luka Modric for Jose Callejon and his attack with Gonzalo Higuain substituting Benzema.  Madrid's were able to sustain pressure towards the end of the match as they were trying for a game winning goal but there attack was stopped when Dani Alves stopped Mesut Oezil's ball reaching Ronaldo in the 84th.

The second leg will be at the Camp Nou on Feb. 27.