Fri, May 15, 2009 - Page 20 News List

Barca score three in nine minutes to win Copa del Rey

REUTERS , VALENCIA, SPAIN

Three goals in a devastating nine-minute spell at the start of the second half saw Barcelona to a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday and the first of three possible trophies.

Yaya Toure leveled for Barca in the first half before Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Xavi struck after the break to give the club their 25th Copa.

The Catalans could wrap up the Primera Liga title this weekend and they face Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 27.

Barca had an unfamiliar look in defense with reserve keeper Jose Manuel Pinto in goal and Yaya Toure at center-back and they were quickly exposed at a set piece.

Fran Yeste’s whipped-in corner after nine minutes found Gaizka Toquero rising above two defenders to head in at the back post.

Athletic looked fresher, snapping at Barca all over the pitch, until Toure stepped up to level in spectacular fashion as he advanced out of defense.

The Ivory Coast international went past three Bilbao players in the 31st minute and from outside the area, drilled a low shot inside the near post.

Gradually Barca asserted themselves and as they swarmed round the Bilbao area in the 55th minute it was Messi who struck, firing through a crowd of legs after Gorka Iraizoz could only parry Samuel Eto’o’s shot.

Three minutes later, Bojan raced through on the break to score off the far post and with Bilbao reeling, Xavi curled a superb free-kick over the wall and in off the near post in the 64th minute.

Just before Xavi’s goal the match was held up briefly after Barcelona defender Daniel Alves was hit on the head by a tin can thrown from the stands.

Alves was able to continue and television pictures showed police leading a fan away.

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