Red cards spoil Real’s progress into Copa semis

VALENCIA – Real Madrid survived red cards for Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria, and an injury to Iker Casillas, to draw 1-1 in Valencia and qualify for the Copa del Rey semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Copa del Rey Valencia 1 - 1 Real MadridSevilla 4 - 0 Real ZaragozaVALENCIA – Real Madrid survived red cards for Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria, and an injury to Iker Casillas, to draw 1-1 in Valencia and qualify for the Copa del Rey semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate.Karim Benzema netted just before half-time to put Jose Mourinho’s side 3-0 up in the tie, before Coentrao picked up a second yellow card for a handball in the 51st minute.Valencia pulled a goal back from the ensuing free-kick when Tino Costa’s low free-kick surprised Real’s reserve keeper Antonio Adan.Adan had to replace Casillas in the 15th minute after Alvaro Arbeloa accidentally kicked his hand while trying to clear a ball.The injury to Spain’s number one did not appear to be too serious as he was later seen in the dugout with ice on his hand.Di Maria picked up a foolish red card two minutes from time after kicking out at Valencia defender Joao Pereira as the two tussled for a ball.Real will face either holders Barcelona or Malaga in the last four. Barca visit(ed) the Rosaleda on Thursday with their tie level at 2-2.