Barcelona were living dangerously but they opened the scoring with their first meaningful attack of the game when Messi began one of his dazzling runs towards the edge of the box before chipping a ball into the path of the onrushing Pedro, who emphatically slotted home to lift the tension from the home crowd and spark wild celebrations. The Madrid players and manager alike, looked bemused as they had seen their profligacy punished from one moment of clinical attacking play.
Controversy ensued when Lassana Diarra somehow escaped a second yellow card after he chopped down Messi moments before the half-time whistle, inciting both sets of players to surround the referee and vent their frustrations.
From the resulting free-kick, Xavi's cross was deflected off the chest off Diarra to the corner of the penalty box where Dani Alves unleashed a rasping drive which arrowed straight into the top left-hand corner with Casillas grasping at thin air. It was the last kick of the first-half and with Barcelona leading 4-1 on aggregate, there appeared no way back for Madrid who had the right to feel aggrieved after their impressive first-half performance.
Real Madrid refused to give up hope though and they thought they had reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute when Sergio Ramos's header found the net but the goal was disallowed as the Spanish international defender was adjudged to have fouled his marker in the build-up.
With 22 minutes remaining on the clock however, Madrid were given a ray of hope through their lethal talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, who latched onto Ozil's incise through ball before rounding Pinto and coolly placing the ball into the far corner.
Mourinho's side continued to push forward and four minutes later they scored a second when Pique's clearance was headed over the top of the Barcelona defence into the path of Benzema, who casually flicked the ball over Carles Puyol's head, controlling with his knee and volleying exquisitely past Pinto.
It set up a frenetic end to the match as Real Madrid knew that a third goal would take them through to the semi-finals on the away goals rule. Guardiola sent on Javier Mascherano for the disappointing Alexis Sanchez as Barcelona looked to cling on to their slim advantage.
In truth, chances were few and far between in the closing stages although Messi watched two of his left-footed efforts narrowly evade the woodwork. Madrid's frustration was topped off in the 89th minute when Sergio Ramos was dismissed after he had raised an arm to the face of Sergio Busquets and received a second caution.
Whilst Real Madrid can certainly take a moral victory from their comeback and performance, it is Barcelona who march on to the semi-finals where they will face Valencia or Levante.
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