Copa del Rey, semi final, first leg

Deportivo La Coruña 0 - Sevilla 3

The 2006/7 season looks like ending as it began, with a cup final between Barcelona and Sevilla. The two teams opened the season with the European Super Cup, and both hold three goal advantages from the first legs of their semi-finals after Sevilla won 0-3 at Deportivo on Thursday night. The Andalusians were already two up within the first quarter of an hour, Kanouté and Jesús Navas picking up respective passes from Kerzhakov and Alves to beat Munúa, and Luis Fabiano added the third from the penalty spot after Andrade handled in the area in injury time. If the favourites do go through, that would open the way for the league's seventh placed side to qualify for next season's UEFA Cup. (19.04.07)

Barcelona 5 - Getafe 2

A brilliant display by Leo Messi inspired Barcelona to a 5-2 win over Getafe in the first semi-final of the Spanish cup. The youngster set up Xavi to open the scoring early on, and then produced one of the goals of the season, picking up the ball in his own half and leaving a trail of defenders before rounding Luis García to score the second on the half hour mark. Before half time Messi had made it three after picking up a cross from Deco, and the match seemed to be over. But Schuster brought on Güiza at the break, and the striker scored one and set up a second for Nacho in a two minute period in the second half to reduce the gap to one goal. Strikes from Gudjohnsen and Eto'o later in the second half restored the three goal lead though, keeping Frank Rijkaard's side on track for their first Spanish cup final in nine years. (18.04.07)