Real Madrid and Sevilla book Copa del Rey semi-final spots

 　　MADRID, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid set up a possible Copa del Rey semi-final tie against bitter rivals, FC Barcelona as they drew 1-1 on Wednesday night to defeat Valencia 3-1 on aggregate¹ in their quarter-final.

　　Madrid travelled to Valencia with a 2-0 first leg lead and after a 5-0 win in the same stadium in the league on Sunday.

　　Valencia were clearly chastened by their weekend experience and were much firmer in defence and midfield, while Madrid were forced to replace goalkeeper Iker Casillas with Antonio Adan after Casillas suffered a blow to his hand after 16 minutes.

　　The home side were unable to take advantage of the change and Karim Benzema put Madrid ahead on the stroke of halftime.

　　The vital away goal meant Valencia needed to score four goals in the second half to qualify² and although their task was made easier five minutes after the break when Fabio Coentrao was sent off for two yellow cards.

　　Tino Costa leveled the score on the night a minute later, but despite their efforts and Angel Di Maria's direct red card for aggression³ in the 88th minute, Madrid never looked in danger and will face the winner of Thursday's game between Malaga and FC Barcelona, which is balanced at 2-2 after last week's first meeting.

　　The best news for Valencia was the return of Sergio Canales to competitive⁴ action after various months out following an operation on a torn knee ligament.

　　Earlier in the night, Unai Emery's home debut⁵ as Sevilla coach saw his side defeat Zaragoza 4-0 to book their place in the semi- final after the 0-0 draw in the first leg.

　　Alvaro Negredo and Ivan Rakitic put Sevilla 2-0 up before halftime after Zaragoza had been reduced to 10 men after Jose Fernandez was sent off for a late challenge.

　　Zaragoza were down to 9 players with Fran Gonzalez also given his marching orders 20 minutes after the break and a Negredo penalty⁶ and a late goal by Manu del Moral sealed Sevilla's progress into the last four where they will face either Atletico Madrid or local rivals, Betis who play their return leg on Thursday in which Atletico defend a 2-0 advantage.

1 aggregate   

adj.总计的，集合的；n.总数；v.合计；集合

参考例句：

• The football team had a low goal aggregate last season.这支足球队上个赛季的进球总数很少。
• The money collected will aggregate a thousand dollars.进帐总额将达一千美元。

2 qualify   

vt.取得资格，有资格，限定，描述；vi.取得资格，有资格

参考例句：

• I won't qualify until next year.我明年才具备资格。
• You must qualify yourself for the post.你必须使自己具备担任这一工作的资格。

3 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

4 competitive   

adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

参考例句：

• Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。

5 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

6 penalty   

n.处罚，刑罚，罚款

参考例句：

• If you knock the ball with your hand in football,you will suffer a penalty.如果在踢足球时你用手碰到球，你将受到处罚。
• One of those arrested could face the death penalty.被捕的那些人中有一人可能被判死刑。