Villarreal to face Barca in Cup semis

Villarreal to face Barca in Cup semis

MADRID - Villarreal will face Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey as Gerardo Moreno's late strike sealed a 2-0 aggregate win away to Getafe.

Villarreal's forward Gerard Moreno (R) vies with Getafe's Uruguayan defender Emiliano Velazquez during their Spanish Copa del Rey quarter final second leg football match in Getafe on January 29, 2015

Espanyol will face Athletic Bilbao in the other semi-final after seeing off Sevilla and Malaga respectively.

Already leading 1-0 from last week's first leg at El Madrigal, Villarreal were rarely threatened by an under-strength Getafe side and secured their place in the last four when Moreno rounded Jonathan Lopez to slot home 12 minutes from time.

Sevilla had hopes of a famous comeback after Carlos Bacca's injury time goal in their 3-1 defeat at Cornella El Prat last week.

However, Espanyol withstood an early onslaught and could even have extended their advantage when Sergio Garcia's free-kick came crashing off the bar.

Diogo Figueras's sensational strike two minutes from time handed Sevilla victory on the night, but it wasn't enough as Espanyol clung on.

Athletic's Cup form has been the bright point of an otherwise disappointing season and the 24 times winners will fancy their chances of reaching another final as Aritz Aduriz's second-half strike was enough to overcome Malaga 1-0 on aggregate.

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