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Zaragoza ends Barcelona's record winning streak
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-27 09:38
The draw for the semifinals is set for Friday.
Barcelona chose the Zaragoza game to rest captain Carles Puyol for the first
time this season, while goalkeeper Victor Valdes was left on the bench. Team
scoring leader Samuel Eto'o with Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations, while
playmaker Xavi Hernandez remains injured.
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Zaragoza fans celebrate after
their team beat Barcelona 4-2 in a Copa del Rey quarter-final, first leg,
soccer match in Zaragoza, Spain, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006.
[AP]
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Frank Rijkaard's team made a good start, Zaragoza midfielder Ruben "Cani"
Gracia's defense-splitting pass in the 23rd minute found Milito, who steered the
first goal past reserve goalkeeper Albert Jorquera.
Two minutes later, Jorquera only succeeded in pushing Ewerthon's shot over
his head and into the net after the Brazilian striker had beaten defender
Oleguer Presas.
Zaragoza added to its lead in the 27th when Ewerthon deftly chipped over
advancing Jorquera after receiving a floated pass from midfield.
Larsson reduced the deficit nine minutes later when he powerfully headed home
a cross from the left by defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Zaragoza's Leonardo Ponzio then knocked teenage forward Lionel Messi to the
ground in the penalty area and Ronaldinho converted the spot-kick to give
Barcelona hope.
But Milito crowned Zaragoza's victory with an injury-time penalty after
Barcelona's midfielder Edmilson was guilty of a handball.
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