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Vintage Raul fires Schalke 04 into Champions semis

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-04-14 09:48

Raul (L) and Benedikt Hoewedes of Schalke 04 celebrate their team's second goal during the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final soccer match against Inter Milan in Gelsenkirchen, April 13, 2011.??[Photo/Agencies]

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany - Another vintage performance from Raul sealed Schalke 04's unexpected passage to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time on Wednesday as holders Inter Milan were eliminated 7-3 on aggregate.

The 33-year-old Spanish striker scored one goal and set up another in a 2-1 second leg quarter-final victory for the Bundesliga side who now face Manchester United in the last four.

Raul left Real Madrid last year after 16 trophy-rich seasons, including three Champions League titles, and he again proved he remains one of the most lethal strikers in Europe.

"These are the rewards for my constant hard work and my love for the game," a smiling Raul, the Champions League all-time top goalscorer who now has netted 71 times in Europe's premier club competition, told reporters.

"Now there will be two tough semi-finals with us against Manchester United and Real Madrid against Barcelona."

Raul has become a fan favourite in the former German coal-mining heartland -- a far cry from cosmopolitan Madrid.

He killed off any hopes Inter had of getting back into the tie after their first-leg humiliation at the San Siro when he picked up a Jose Jurado cross and rounded Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar to slot in the opening goal on the stroke of halftime.

"Raul scored one goal and set up the other for Beni Hoewedes," a beaming Schalke captain goalkeeper Manuel Neuer told reporters. "On Saturday the fans wanted Raul in the stands but Beni went. Today it is Raul's turn."

Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick, who has overseen four successive victories since he replaced Felix Magath last month, added: "This team played two great games against Inter and when you only allow two chances for the reigning champions then you understand how good this team worked."

Never before have the blue-whites played in the Champions League last four but thanks to Raul they now have every right to dream big when they face Manchester United.

It was never going to be a high-scoring game with Schalke careful to protect their first leg advantage but it was the perfect match for Raul.

Lurking for a quick break, the former Spain striker first threatened after a quarter of an hour with a header. He was on target just before the break, chasing down Jurado's cross to slot in before Thiago Motta levelled with a volley four minutes after the restart.

But the Spaniard then orchestrated their second win in two games against a largely toothless Inter, lobbing the ball forward over a static defence for Hoewedes to run on to and drill a low shot past Julio Cesar nine minutes from time.

The only time Raul looked unsure was when he was told to lead the celebrations, surrounded by fans in the stands, and the Spaniard for once looked out of his league, not knowing exactly what to do.

"Schalke were well organised and we just could not get things going as we had planned," Inter coach Leonardo said. "They played very well in both games against us."