Atletico Madrid book Copa del Rey final spot

 　　MADRID, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A storming first half from Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa was vital as his side assured a spot in this year's final of the Copa del Rey after a 2-2 draw at Sevilla.

　　Atletico Madrid progressed into the final with a 4-3 aggregate¹ win, booking a Madrid derby between them and Real Madrid.

　　Atletico went into the return leg of their semifinal away to Sevilla with a 2-1 lead from the first leg and knowing a win would see them take on their local rivals, who destroyed FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou on Tuesday.

　　The two sides took to the pitch in the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium with an atmosphere that dignified² the occasion and a rainstorm that merely served to add drama to the occasion, especially as a 1-0 win would have been enough to see the home side through to the final.

　　That scenario³ didn't last for long, however, as Costa was allowed time and space outside of the Sevilla penalty area and was able to fire a low right foot shot past Sevilla goalkeeper, Beto into the back of the net.

　　On a wet and slick pitch, the pace of the game was fast and furious with neither side holding back in the tackle, but with Atletico sitting deep and then looking to link up Costa and Radamel Falcao on the break, the home side were unable to seriously threaten Atletico keeper, Thibaut Courtois.

　　After 29 minutes Costa and Falcao linked to perfection with Costa chasing down a ball down the left wing before reaching the goalline. Falcao looked to be covered by the home defense⁴, but his curling run took him onto the end of Costa's low pass and he slid the ball past Beto to double Atletico's lead.

　　The away goals rule meant Sevilla now needed four goals to qualify and credit to Unai emery's side who kept their heads up before Jesus Navas gave them a lifeline with a fine curling shot in off the post to make it 2-1 on the night.

　　Knowing it was all or nothing, Emery introduced striker, Manu Del Moral as a second half substitute for Reyes and was almost rewarded straight away as Del Moral saw a powerful shot well saved by Courtois.

　　It was just as exciting with Costa and Falcao missing chances to seal the tie, before Alvaro Negredo rose above the Atletico defense before heading a Navas cross wide when he looked certain to score.

　　That was the end of the football for a while as tempers boiled over and the game was interrupted by a series of fouls⁵, which ended with Sevilla's Gary Medel sent off after totally losing control, with Costa, who in fairness had been provoking the greater part of the Sevilla team.

　　Credit to Sevilla who finally equalized in injury time through Ivan Rakitic to make it 2-2 on the night, but there was still time for Geoffrey Kondogbia to see a red card for another incident with Costa. It was not the sort of thing you want to see on a football pitch, but it did reflect the intensity⁶ of the occasion.

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 dignified   

a.可敬的，高贵的

参考例句：

• Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。
• He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。

3 scenario   

n.剧本，脚本；概要

参考例句：

• But the birth scenario is not completely accurate.然而分娩脚本并非完全准确的。
• This is a totally different scenario.这是完全不同的剧本。

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

5 fouls   

n.煤层尖灭；恶劣的( foul的名词复数 )；邪恶的；难闻的；下流的v.使污秽( foul的第三人称单数 )；弄脏；击球出界；（通常用废物）弄脏

参考例句：

• The player was sent off the field because of fouls. 这名运动员因屡屡犯规而被罚下场。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Jones was ordered off in the second half after repeated fouls. 由于屡次犯规，琼斯在下半场中被责令退出比赛。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。