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Getafe Stuns Barcelona 4-0 to Reach Cup
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Getafe trounced FC Barcelona 4-0 Thursday to overcome a three-goal deficit and advance to the first Copa del Rey final in its history.

Trailing 5-2 from the first leg, Getafe got two goals from Daniel Guiza and one each from Javi Casquero and Angel Vivar Dorado to advance 6-5 on aggregate, The Associated Press reported.

Getafe will now make a short trip to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to play Sevilla in the final on June 23. Sevilla completed a 5-0 aggregate win over Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday.

"What a match we played. The players, the club and the supporters all deserve it. What a gift. You always have to believe you're capable and you have to go for it," Getafe coach Bernd Schuster told radio station Onda Cero.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said his team had endured "a very tough night."

"I feel terrible, as do all the players. We left a really bad impression tonight. We began badly from the very first minute and suffered a lot," Rijkaard said. "I'm not ashamed but I have to apologize to all our club members, who will be very disappointed."

Barcelona, which was seeking its first final in Spain's knockout competition since 1998, is still in position to win its third straight league title. It leads La Liga with five games remaining, two points ahead of Real Madrid and four in front of Sevilla.

Barca, which did not use Lionel Messi who scored two of its first-leg goals, didn't manage a shot on goal in a lifeless first-half display.

Getafe, making its first appearance in the last four of the competition, created several chances early although Guiza was unable to capitalize.

Striker Maris Verpakovskis had an opportunity in the 16th while left back Javier Paredes wasted another 12 minutes later.

Goalkeeper Albert Jorquera denied Guiza in the 38th minute, but midfielder Casquero capitalized on the ensuing corner, hitting a spinning, bouncing volley into the net for the first goal.

Guiza doubled the lead five minutes later, sending a shot that deflected off defender Gianluca Zambrotta.

Getafe continued to dominate after halftime but Jorquera thwarted Guiza in the 55th and 63rd minutes.

Rijkaard inserted forwards Eidur Gudjohnsen and Javier Saviola only for midfielder Vivar Dorado to score Getafe's third goal in the 71st.

Guiza doubled his tally two minutes later when he burst past Edmilson and volleyed home for the aggregate winner.

Barcelona finally spurred its offense the closing stages but Samuel Eto'o fired over the bar and Saviola shot wide.

(Shanghai Daily May 11, 2007)

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