Barcelona claim first-leg advantage over Real Madrid in Copa del Rey semi-final
Barcelona recorded a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at Bernabeu on Thursday night.
Eder Militao’s own goal in the 26th minute of the match proved to be the difference in El Clasico, with Xavi’s side claiming an advantage in the last-four contest.
The second leg of the semi-final will take place at Camp Nou on April 5, but the two teams will first lock horns in the league at the home of Barcelona on March 19.
The first half-chance of the match came in the seventh minute when Vinicius Junior worked space inside the Barcelona box before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side thought that they had taken the lead in the 12th minute through Karim Benzema, who converted a cross from Vinicius, but the offside flag came to Barcelona’s rescue.
The visitors took the lead in the 26th minute of the match when Militao deflected the ball into the back of his own net following a charge forward and strike from Franck Kessie, who had been released by Gavi.
There was a VAR check for an offside against Raphinha, but the Brazilian was not involved in the move, so Barcelona were able to take the lead at Bernabeu, much to the home side’s frustration.
Real Madrid had a huge chance to level in the 41st minute through Dani Carvajal, but the defender’s volley from a Toni Kroos cross was too high, and the Spanish and European champions were behind at the break.
Vinicius had a low strike deflected just wide of the far corner in the 49th minute, before Eduardo Camavinga fired one over the Barcelona crossbar in the 52nd minute.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen then tipped a Vinicius effort wide of the post just before the hour, with the home side very much on the front foot as the half continued to progress.
The visitors had a golden chance to score a second in the 72nd minute when Kessie struck towards the bottom corner, only for Ansu Fati to block his own teammate’s effort.
Real Madrid wanted a penalty in the 78th minute when the ball appeared to strike Ferran Torres’s arm inside the box, but the referee was not interested and VAR agreed.
Los Blancos had Vinicius, Alvaro Rodriguez, Benzema and Rodrygo playing as a front four in the latter stages, as they looked to level the scores at Bernabeu, with the latter coming close, but the first-half own goal from Militao ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides in the first leg of the semi-final.
Next up for Real Madrid is a trip to Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday night, while Barcelona will resume their league season at home to Valencia earlier in the afternoon.
