Eder Militao’s own-goal handed a much depleted Barcelona a surprise 1-0 away at Real Madrid in Copa del Rey’s semi-final first leg on Thursday. Xavi’s side arrived on the back of two consecutive defeats and without an injured trio of key players including top scorer Robert Lewandowski, key midfielder Pedri and Ousmane Dembele. After their Europa League elimination by Manchester United last week and a first ever loss against La Liga minnows Almeria, Real Madrid fans smelled blood, but were left frustrated. The hosts had more of the ball but failed to muster a shot on target, while Barcelona defended well. The second leg will be played at Camp Nou on April 5.
Updated: 03 Mar 2023 10:06 am
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid’s Eder Militao reacts at the end of the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Barcelona players celebrate at the end of the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Bernat Armangue
Referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, left, shows a yellow card to Barcelona’s head coach Xavi Hernandez, right, during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Bernat Armangue
Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, right, heads the ball past Barcelona’s Ansu Fati during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde kicks the ball during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Bernat Armangue
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, center, is challenged by Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger, right, an Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Bernat Armangue
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, right, controls the ball as he is challenged by Barcelona’s Gavi, bottom, during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid’s Eder Militao, left, scores an own goal past his goalkeeper during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Bernat Armangue
Barcelona players celebrate after Barcelona’s Franck Kessie scores his side’s opening goal during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Bernat Armangue
Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, left, is challenged by Real Madrid’s Luka Modric during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo: AP/Bernat Armangue
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, left, is fouled byReal Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, right, and Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi final, first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
