Semi final first leg

Barcelona 5 - Getafe 2

Barcelona: Jorquera; Zambrotta, Puyol, Márquez, Van Bronckhorst; Iniesta (Ezquerro 83'), Xavi, Deco; Messi (Saviola 76'), Eto'o, Gudjohnsen (Oleguer 66'). 4-3-3.
Getafe: Luis García; David Cortés, Belenguer, Alexis, Paredes (Pulido 84'); Mario Cotelo (Pachón 76'), Celestini, Casquero, Alberto (Güiza 46'), Nacho; Manu del Moral. 4-5-1.

Goals:
1-0. 18. Xavi. Picked up return pass from Messi and shot wide of Luis García.
2-0. 28. Messi. Picked up ball in own half and dribbled past six defenders to score.
3-0. 44. Messi. Controlled Deco cross and beat defender to shoot into top of net.
3-1. 57. Güiza. Following up after Jorquera pushed out shot from Casquero.
3-2. 59. Nacho. Shot from edge of area which took a deflection off defender.
4-2. 61. Gudjohnsen. First time shot low into net after corner headed on.
5-2. 74. Eto'o. Collected Xavi centre from left and turned shot back past keeper.

A brilliant first half 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. It was a goal reminiscent of Maradonna's against England in the World Cup 20 years ago, and pictures will no doubt go around the world.

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 in a two minute period in the second half the striker scored one after Jorquera could only push out Casquero's shot, and then set up a second for Nacho, who's shot deflected in to the net off the back of Zambrotta.

That reduced the gap to one goal, but just two minutes later Gudjohnsen got ahead of his marker to beat Luis García after Márquez headed on a corner, and a few minutes later Eto'o picked up a pass from Xavi to round Alexis and restore the three goal lead. The win keeps Frank Rijkaard's side on track for their first Spanish cup final in nine years.

Deportivo La Coruña 0 - Sevilla 3

Deportivo: Munúa; Coloccini, Lopo, Andrade, Capdevila; Barragán (Taborda 46'), Duscher, Juan Rodríguez (De Guzman 64'), Cristian; Arizmendi (Sergio 64'), Adrián López. 4-4-2.
Sevilla: Cobeño; Daniel Alves, Escudé, Javi Navarro, Dragutinovic; Jesús Navas (Aitor Ocio 84'), Martí, Poulsen, Adriano (Maresca 59'); Kanouté, Kerzhakov (Luis Fabiano 73'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 11. Kanouté. Ran on to Kerzhakov pass to steer shot wide of Munúa.
0-2. 13. Jesús Navas. Picked up Alves pass and rounded keeper to score.
0-3. 93. Luis Fabiano (penalty). After Andrade handled ball inside area.

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, which Sevilla won 3-0, 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 they could have increased their lead when Navas was foiled by the keeper just a couple of minutes later.

Adriano fired another easy chance wide soon after the restart, but Adrián López drove a good effort just wide of the far post and Taborda brought a good save out of Cobeño with a powerful header later on as Depor tried to get back in the match.

With the game already in injury time though Juande Ramos's side were awarded a penalty when he ball hit Andrade on his arm from behind, and Luis Fabiano wrapped things up from the spot. Sevilla's great season continues, and they are the only Spanish club to have a chance of winning three titles this season (four if you count that European Super Cup win).