Kompany, Neville & more: Twitter reacts as Real Madrid thrash Barça
Vincent Kompany, Gaizka Mendieta and Gary Neville all tweet their thoughts after Real Madrid thrash Barcelona to reach final
Cristiano Ronaldo’s double helped Real Madrid book their place in the Copa del Rey final with an impressive 3-1 victory against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
The 28-year-old scored a 13th-minute penalty to edge Madrid ahead on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Bernabeu before doubling the visitors’ lead after the interval.
Raphaël Varane made it 4-1 on aggregate before Barcelona’s Jordi Alba netted an 89th-minute consolation, with the two bitter rivals set to meet in the Spanish capital in La Liga on Saturday.
Here is the best of the Twitter reaction to El Clásico from the professionals, in chronological order.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville (@GNev2) is torn between the FA Cup and Copa del Rey: “Right big decision: My brother or Messi/Ronaldo!”
There are no such issues for Liverpool’s Spanish midfielder Suso (@suso30fernandez): “Ready to watch the big game . Barcelona – Real Madrid!”
Ex-Valencia captain Gaizka Mendieta (@GaizkaMendieta6) builds the suspense ahead of Ronaldo’s spot-kick: “In moments like this is when the great players take “all” the responsibility!! Let’s see… #ElClasico #CopadelRey”
Blackpool’s Matty Phillips (@phillips_matty) believes the speed of Ronaldo’s feet won their penalty: “Ronaldo ! #feet”
United defender Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) feels sorry for his old team-mate facing another of his ex-Red Devils colleagues: “@Cristiano 1 v 1 in the box….I was squirming for Pique there….agree with the referee, penalty for me too.”
Southampton’s Luke Shaw (@Luke_shaw3) reckons Barcelona have lost some of their aura: “Don’t think Barça are the same any more.”
Ajax winger Ryan Babel (@RyanBabel) is impressed by a dominant, powerful Madrid performance: “Real has Barça under control so far and creating chances #FCBlive!”
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) points out the dark side of El Clásicos: “They all love a little tumble on the floor in #elclasico.”
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) agrees with the former Citizens forward: “The best and the worst of our game at show in #ElClasico. Football’s finest treating us to an entertaining game. Could do with less diving..”
Arsenal youngster Craig Eastmond (@craigleastmond) feels Carles Puyol’s pain after the defender was dragged left and right in the lead up to Ronaldo’s second: “Puyol pick up your groin! #ElClasico”
Dutch legend Ruud Gullit (@GullitR) reckons Barcelona are getting desperate: “#cristianoronaldo is unbelievable good again against #fcbarcelona. Never ever seen Barcelona players so many times diving to get a penalty but when you win all the time you don’t need to!”
West Brom midfielder Steven Reid (@stevenreid12) says that’s it after Varane’s goal: “Game set and…. Real been unreal tonight!”
England legend Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) warns us that Jose Mourinho can never be discounted: “Never rule out Mourinho. By contrast, and through no real fault of their own, Barca look rudderless at present.”
Pepe is on – and it only takes a matter of minutes to irritate the Twittersphere, including former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris (@morriskid): “I hate Pepe with a passion.,how isn’t the ref booking him for that faking b*llocks.”
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann (@DietmarHamann) enjoyed Barcelona’s consolation: “1-3 Lazarus …good goal.”
Finally, tennis legend Boris Becker (@Becker_Boris) turns his thoughts to next week: “Talking about return leg between Real and United!”
