By DPA
Madrid : Thierry Henry put Barcelona into the semi-finals of the Spanish King’s Cup Thursday by scoring the only goal in a tight 1-0 win over Villarreal.
The win puts Barca into the semis on a 1-0 aggregate since the first leg was a tense barren draw in Villarreal last Thursday.
Henry scored the crucial goal in the 41st minute, by heading in a free kick from fellow veteran Deco.
Before and after the goal Villarreal defender Pacal Cygan picked up yellow cards for fouls on Lionel Messi, leaving his side with 10 men for the whole of the second half.
Barca took advantage of their numerical superiority to dominate, but failed to ease the tension by scoring a second goal.
In the 74th minute the hosts were given a penalty after Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez pulled down teenager Bojan Krkic. But Lopez made amends by saving Messi’s weak spot-kick.
Barca – who have not won the cup for 10 years – now join Racing Santander, Getafe and Valencia in the semi-finals.
Earlier Thursday, Santander booked their place with a defiant 3-3 draw in Bilbao, which puts them through on a 5-3 aggregate.
Getafe went through on the away goals rule despite losing 2-1 away to Mallorca, whom Wednesday they had beaten 1-0 at home.
Valencia too eased their crisis Wednesday by edging through at the expense of Atletico Madrid.
Valencia scaped through on the away goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw. They had beaten Atletico 1-0 at home last week, and qualify despite losing 3-2 in Madrid Wednesday.
Success in the cup has provided some relief for unpopular Valencia coach Ronald Koeman, whose troubled team have not won in La Liga from 10 matches.
The draw for the semi-finals will be held in Madrid Friday. The first leg of the semis will be played Feb 27, the second leg March 19.