호날두 2골, 레알 마드리드 결승 진출

(AP-Yonhap)

스페인 프로축구 명문 레알 마드리드가 홀로 2 골을 책임진 크리스티아누 호날두(29) 덕분에 코파 델 레이(국왕컵) 결승에 올랐다. 레알 마드리드는 12일(이하 한국시간) 스페인 마드리드의 비센테 칼데론 경기장 에서 열린 2013-2014 코파 델 레이 4강 2차전에서 페널티킥으로만 2골을 넣은 호날 두에 힘입어 아틀레티코 마드리드를 2-0으로 이겼다.

6일 홈에서 치른 4강 1차전에서 3-0으로 이긴 레알 마드리드는 1, 2차전 합계 5 -0으로 아틀레티코 마드리드를 크게 따돌리고 결승에 선착했다.

레알 마드리드의 상대는 13일 FC바르셀로나-레알 소시에다드의 4강 2차전 후 결 정된다.

1차전에서 바르셀로나가 2-0으로 이긴 만큼 결승에서 레알 마드리드와 바르셀로 나의 '엘 클라시코'가 펼쳐질 가능성이 크다.

레알 마드리드는 디에구 코스타와 다비드 비야가 모두 부상으로 빠진 아틀레티 코 마드리드를 상대로 초장에 기선을 제압했다.

전반 7분 호날두는 페널티지역을 파고들어가다가 아틀레티코 마드리드의 신예 풀백 하비에르 만키요가 등을 손으로 미는 바람에 넘어져 페널티킥을 얻어냈다. 호 날두는 왼쪽 골망을 겨냥, 오른발로 볼을 세게 차넣어 레알 마드리드에 선제골을 안 겼다.

기세를 올린 레알 마드리드는 7분 뒤에는 가레스 베일이 아틀레티코 마드리드 수비수 에밀리아노 인수아에게 걸려 넘어져 페널티킥을 얻어냈다.

또 한번 키커로 나선 호날두가 또 침착하게 골대 왼쪽 구석을 노려 추가골을 뽑 아냈다.

아틀레티코 마드리드는 후반 들어 만키요, 디에고를 빼고 좀 더 경험 많은 프란 시스코 후안프란, 아드리안을 넣어 분위기를 전환하려 했지만 별다른 효과는 보지 못하고 영패마저 면하지 못했다. (연합)

Ronaldo scores twice as Real cruise into Cup final

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice from the penalty spot and was also hit on the head by a lighter thrown from the crowd as Real Madrid sealed their place in the Copa del Rey final with a 2-0 win (5-0 on aggregate) over holders Atletico Madrid.

Any chance of Atletico recovering from their 3-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu last week was extinguished after just seven minutes when Ronaldo opened the scoring after being upended by Manquillo.

The Portuguese star doubled his tally nine minutes later from another penalty as this time Gareth Bale was felled by Emiliano Insua.

Ronaldo's eventful evening continued as, moments after being booked for a clash with Manquillo, he was then hit by a lighter thrown by the Atletico fans as the players headed to the dressing rooms at half-time.

The Ballon d'Or winner was however fit to continue at the start of the second-half before being substituted late on.

Real will face either Barcelona or Real Sociedad in the final on April 19 with Barca holding a 2-0 advantage heading into the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted that Ronaldo was fine after being struck and lauded his side's feat of reaching the final on the back of eight consecutive clean sheets in the Cup this season.

"Cristiano is fine, he scored two goals and he doesn't have any problems," he said.

"We are still alive in all competitions and whilst this is the least important of the three in comparison to La Liga or the Champions League, to get to a final is always a good thing for the team.

"We have played well in all the Cup games. We have kept a clean sheets throughout and this speaks well of the mentality of the team."

Atletico boss Diego Simeone appeared to have given up any hope of an unlikely comeback from the off as he rested Juanfran, Diego Godin, Arda Turan and captain Gabi, whilst four more first-team regulars missed out through injury and suspension.

However, despite suffering three defeats in a week, Simeone is hoping for a positive reaction from his side as they too have La Liga and Champions League honours to fight for in the coming weeks.

"You are never happy to lose or go out of a competition, much less in this manner losing 5-0.

"Last year we managed to win this competition, this year we got to the semi-finals. You can always do better as a team, but now we will continue with the same desire as before and we want to remain competitive."

Ancelotti named a strong side and was rewarded with the away goal that killed the tie off when Ronaldo converted from the spot after tumbling under Manquillo's clumsy challenge inside the area.

Atletico briefly threatened a revival when Raul Garcia struck the post moments later.

However, it was 2-0 after just 16 minutes as this time Bale went down under a challenge by Insua and Ronaldo again struck the resulting spot-kick low into the right-hand corner of Daniel Aranzubia's net.

With the tie effectively over as a contest, the only spice was added by unfortunate events off the field as Ronaldo was struck as he headed towards the tunnel at half-time.

The former Manchester United man did return for the second period, but he was unable to complete his hat-trick before being replaced by Jese Rodriguez 15 minutes from time.

Bale and Isco both had efforts well saved by Aranzubia as Real continued to look the more likely to score after the break.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Jose Sosa's drive that forced Iker Casillas into a flying save was the best that Atletico could muster as they slipped to their first home defeat of the season. (AFP)