Barcelona: Pedro Rodriguez netted a first-half hat trick as Barcelona crushed third-tier Huesca 8-1 in the Copa del Rey, while Valencia joined the Catalans in the round of 16 after an eight-goal thriller with Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday.Celta Vigo and Almeria also advanced from a high-scoring night that saw 24 goals in just four matches.
Despite resting Lionel Messi, Neymar and several other starters, Barcelona proved way too much for Huesca to handle at Camp Nou and had no remorse about piling on the agony after winning the first leg 4-0.Pedro headed in his first goal in the 20th and added a second six minutes later. Sergi Roberto volleyed in Barcelona’s third in the 29th, Andres Iniesta struck in the 39th, and Pedro got his hat trick two minutes before halftime.Adriano and Sandro Ramirez then scored either side of youngster Adama Traore’s first goal for Barcelona’s first team in the 78th.
Ramos, Bale, fire Real to club wc final
Goals from Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid coast to a 4-0 victory over Cruz Azul of Mexico on Tuesday and a place in the final of the Club World Cup.Sergio Ramos and Benzema made it 2-0 at halftime, with further strikes from Bale and Francisco “Isco” Alarcon putting the result beyond doubt after the break. Madrid’s opponents in Saturday’s final will be either South American champion San Lorenzo of Argentina or Auckland City, a New Zealand team and semi-pros that is the Oceania champion.
