A depleted Barcelona reached the King's Cup semi-finals with a 6-3 aggregate win over Real Betis despite losing Wednesday's second leg to the second division leaders. Barca thrashed Seville-based Betis 5-0 in last week's first leg at the Nou Camp and coach Pep Guardiola rested several first-choice players, including World Cup-winners David Villa, Sergio Busquets and Pedro, for the return, which they lost 3-1.
The 2009 winners were reeling when Jorge Molina netted twice in the first seven minutes before World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who had been largely anonymous until then, scored a trademark breakaway goal in the 38th. Betis midfielder Arzu hooked the ball into the net on the stroke of halftime to revive the home side's slim hopes and they were further lifted when Messi scuffed a penalty over the crossbar shortly after the break.
The Betis players were clearly tiring as the match wore on and they were unable to match the aggression and drive they had shown in the first half as Barca survived to book a last-four meeting with Almeria. The Andalusian club, who are bottom of La Liga, won last week's first leg 1-0 at home and built on Sunday's gritty 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid in the league to beat the Galicians 3-2 on the night for a 4-2 aggregate success. Real Madrid or their city rivals Atletico await in the semi-finals, with Real holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg at their Bernabeu stadium ahead of Thursday's return match across town at the Calderon.
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