2-1: The Whites Go to the Semi-Finals!



Untroubled, that's how Madrid got the qualification for semifinals with a crushing aggregate by 5-1. Raul's target in the 13th minute ruined Valencia's hopes that it would not lose the quarterfinals. The first leg was a too heavy burden on them and Madrid took it easy on the game, even without Roberto Carlos, Beckham and Helguera on the field. Besides, Queiroz got the chance to give a break to players such as Ronaldo or Figo. The white coach deployed Mejía in the centre of the defence again while Juanfran came on to replace the Portuguese. Zidane played for a few minutes once he had got over his muscle problems. His appearance earned Madrid the winning goal. Xisco scored the goal of honour for the locals fifteen minutes from time. Friday's draw already has three participants: Real Madrid, Sevilla and Alaves.

THE MATCH:
1 – VALENCIA: Palop; Ayala (Jorge Lopez 50´), Rufete (Xisco 57´), Garrido, David Navarro; Baraja, Marchena, Angulo, Vicente; Aimar (Oliveira 45´) and Mista.
2 – REAL MADRID: Cesar; Salgado, Raul Bravo, Mejía, Helguera; Borja, Guti, Solari, Figo (Juanfran 64´); Raul (Zidane 73´) and Ronaldo (Portillo 64´).
GOALS:
0-1, min.13: Long-range pass from Ronaldo to Raul, who beats Palop with a low shot.
1-1, min.73: Mista hits the bar and Xisco gets hold of the ball to score standing right at the goal line.
1-2, min 90: Zidane, from a free kick.
REFEREE: Carmona Mendez (Extremadura Referees Association). Borja, Raul Bravo and David Navarro were cautioned.
OTHER FACTS: Spanish Cup Quarterfinals, second leg. Mestalla Stadium, 45.000 spectators. Ruben Gonzalez was ruled out by Carlos Queiroz. Real Madrid wore its second kit in dark blue. Florentino watched the game at the Stadium royal box.