Cesc Fabregas struck what may prove a priceless away goal as holders Barcelona drew 1-1 at depleted archrivals Real Madrid in an entertaining and closely fought Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi sent Fabregas clear five minutes after halftime at an electric Santiago Bernabeu enjoying the second Clasico of the season and the Spain midfielder finished with ease past Real goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
Barca missed several clear chances to extend their lead, before Real centerback Raphael Varane crowned a fine performance by leaping to head home an equalizer from a Mesut Ozil center seven minutes from time.
Photo: EPA
Despite having a slight advantage for the second leg at the Camp Nou at the end of this month, Barca may live to regret not scoring more against a Real team missing regular goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas, Pepe through injury and the suspended Sergio Ramos.
“These games are always very tough,” Fabregas said in an interview with Canal Plus TV. “Considering how the match went, the result could have been more favorable from our point of view, but we will be at home for the return leg in front of our own fans. We are in a good rhythm and having a spectacular season.”
In a game pitting a host of Spain international teammates against each other and billed as the latest showdown between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both sides created moments of danger in an ultimately goalless first half.
Photo: Reuters
It was the 223rd meeting between Spain’s dominant clubs and their 31st clash in the Copa del Rey.
Barca knocked Real out in the quarter-finals last season on their way to winning the trophy for a record-extending 26th time, while Real beat Barca 1-0 in the 2010-2011 final for their 18th Copa triumph.
Barca went closest to scoring when Xavi curled a 21st-minute free-kick against the crossbar and then had a shot brilliantly cleared off the line by Varane three minutes later.
Photo: Reuters
Ronaldo, captaining the side in his 600th game, had forced a good save from Barca goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto with a free-kick in the second minute and Karim Benzema volleyed narrowly wide just before the half-hour mark.
After Fabregas put Barca ahead, Ronaldo nodded wide with the goal at his mercy, before the Portuguese was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle by Gerard Pique.
Fabregas fired just over the bar from a Daniel Alves cross shortly after and then sent Pedro through on goal, but his Spain international teammate clipped his shot wide with only Lopez to beat.
Varane’s leveler was no more than Real deserved and Lopez, making his debut after joining from Sevilla as cover for Casillas, thrilled the home fans when he palmed away a Jordi Alba strike late on.
Casillas, who broke a bone in his hand last month and is out for up to three months, has not missed a Clasico in more than a decade.
Assistant Real coach Aitor Karanka, standing in for Jose Mourinho, was full of praise for the 19-year-old Varane and Lopez in his post-match press conference.
“Varane played a perfect game, he has his head screwed on just right,” Karanka said. “Diego is a ’keeper who has played in the top flight for many years and he showed the qualities he has.”
The biggest surprise of the night was that neither Messi, who had scored at least once in his previous 16 starts for Barca, or Ronaldo were on the scoresheet.
Messi is one goal short of Alfredo di Stefano’s record for Clasico matches of 18, while Ronaldo’s record run of scoring in six straight matches between Real and Barca came to an end.
The winners of the tie play Atletico Madrid or Sevilla, who were due to meet yesterday at the Estadio Vicente Calderon in Madrid, in May’s final.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely