Messi double sends Barca into Copa del Rey quarters
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E-mail Xinhua, January 17, 2014
FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad both booked their places for the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night to take the last two places in the last eight of the Spanish knockout competition.
Barcelona were always clear favorites to make it to the quarterfinals after their 4-0 win at home to Getafe a week ago and when Leo Messi scored his first goal of the night just before halftime in the return leg, that qualification was assured.
Messi scored a brilliant second goal with just over 20 minutes remaining to seal the 6-0 aggregate win and confirm that he is most definitely back following his hamstring strain and after finishing third in the vote for Monday's Balon D'Or award.
The only bad news for Barca was that Neymar suffered a twisted ankle in the first half and will undergo tests on Friday to see the extent of his injury.
Meanwhile Xavi Hernandez came on after Messi's second goal to make his 700th appearance for FC Barcelona in all competitions.
Thursday's other game saw Real Sociedad recover from Monday's 5-1 thrashing in Villarreal to win 1-0 in the El Madrigal Stadium and book their quarterfinal place. Javi Ros' first half goal, which came from an offside position was enough to see the side from San Sebastian through and they have a great chance of making the last four as they face third tier Racing Santander in the next round.
The full draw for the quarterfinals is as follows: Athletic Madrid- Athletic Club Bilbao, Racing Santander-Real Sociedad, Levante-FC Barcelona, Espanyol-Real Madrid.
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