MADRID - Holders Barcelona set up a King’s Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Real Madrid after battling to a thrilling 4-2 second leg win over a stubborn Malaga at the Rosaleda on Thursday.The La Liga leaders progressed 6-4 on aggregate, with goals from Pedro, Gerard Pique and late strikes from Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi putting them through after Malaga had twice drawn level.“The two teams have played a great game and now we have the reward of a semi-final against Real Madrid,” Pique, who became a father for the first time on Tuesday, told Spanish television.The 2011 Cup winners Real host the first leg of the semi-final at the Bernabeu next week after Jose Mourinho’s side beat Valencia 3-1 on aggregate, despite having two players sent off in Wednesday’s 1-1 second-leg draw at the Mestalla.On the other side of the draw, Atletico Madrid set up a last four encounter with Sevilla after drawing 1-1 at their city rivals Real Betis to progress 3-1 on aggregate.Diego Costa scored a valuable away goal, to add to last week’s 2-0 victory at the Calderon, after a dreadful misunderstanding in the Betis defence just before halftime.Sevilla, who beat Atletico 2-0 in the 2010 Cup final, swept aside Real Zaragoza 4-0 on aggregate in their quarter final.
