Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo made the perfect response to those who say Leo Messi is the world’s best player by scoring two goals and inspiring his side to a shock Copa Del Rey semi-final win over Barcelona.
And Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was at the Nou Camp to see Jose Mourinho’s side win a two-leg cup-tie after drawing the home leg 1-1 — much as Real hope to do in the Champions League at Old Trafford next Tuesday.
This was Mourinho’s greatest night at Barcelona since his Inter Milan reached the Champions League final with 10 men.
And in the match when the absence of ex-Barca boss Pep Guardiola and his successor Tito Vilanova really started to show, Ronaldo was imperious.
He raced away on 15 minutes to draw a foul from Gerard Pique inside the area, then picked himself up and put the penalty past Manuel Pinto to become the first player ever to score in six consecutive away Clasicos.
In the second half, with stunned Barcelona chasing the game, Angel Di Maria sped past Carles Puyol in another lightning counter attack and when he squared to Ronaldo, the former Manchester United striker scored again — the first player to score doubles in consecutive Clasicos away from home.
In contrast, Messi, who went into the game looking for his 50th goal of the season, cut a forlorn figure as Barcelona repeated the same starting 10 outfield players as they had against AC Milan and delivered a similar lacklustre performance.
Messi was frustrated by the brilliant young French defender Raphael Varane, and it was the 19-year-old who headed in the third. Varane’s goal — a carbon copy of his first-leg equaliser — brought the most emotional of responses from Mourinho, who embraced the centre-back on the touchline and was in turn mobbed by most of his players as Madrid celebrated a home humiliation for Barcelona.
Jordi Alba scored a late consolation goal, running on to an excellent pass from Andres Iniesta, but it did little to take the shine off Madrid’s win
Mourinho sent Iker Casillas out to face the media on the final whistle and he urged Real Madrid to ensure Ronaldo stayed.
Speculation is linking the player with a return to England, as neither he nor the club seem to be interested in a contract extension on his deal which runs out in 2015, and Casillas said: ‘He is our most important player in these big games.
‘He was not just superb tonight, but he has been in the other clasicos. He is vital for us.
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