In the first leg of two, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in a typically charged El Clasico matchup, this time played as a Copa Del Rey fixture. The game provided the usual suspense and drama that we’ve come to expect from these rivals although the El Clasico has become a pretty frequent occurrence and with Barcelona constantly a convincing favorite, some have begun to argue that it’s starting to lose a bit of the twinkle it once had.
Christiano Ronaldo provided a positive start for Madrid by putting his team’s first shot on goal in the back of the net. Some uninspired defending by Pique and a slow reaction from Pinto let the man from Portugal put Madrid in the lead, but that goal would provide only a little compensation for what was to come.
Barcelona dominated the game, and if Messi wouldn’t have been as quiet as he was, the final result would have probably been far more devastating.
Madrid held on to their 1-0 lead until the beginning of the second half when Barcelona equalized through an impressive goal from Puyol who charged into the box unchecked to head in a corner.
Driving in the decider, it was Abidal with an unexpected tap-in off a lovely pass flicked over the Real Madrid defense line by Messi. The Bernabeu crowd was far from chuffed.
And so ended yet another Barca triumph…
Will the second leg be played out differently? And if not, could we see a Real Madrid team as Copa Del Rey champions, but without having defeated their arch rivals the entire season?
Christiano Ronaldo provided a positive start for Madrid by putting his team’s first shot on goal in the back of the net. Some uninspired defending by Pique and a slow reaction from Pinto let the man from Portugal put Madrid in the lead, but that goal would provide only a little compensation for what was to come.
Barcelona dominated the game, and if Messi wouldn’t have been as quiet as he was, the final result would have probably been far more devastating.
Madrid held on to their 1-0 lead until the beginning of the second half when Barcelona equalized through an impressive goal from Puyol who charged into the box unchecked to head in a corner.
Driving in the decider, it was Abidal with an unexpected tap-in off a lovely pass flicked over the Real Madrid defense line by Messi. The Bernabeu crowd was far from chuffed.
And so ended yet another Barca triumph…
Will the second leg be played out differently? And if not, could we see a Real Madrid team as Copa Del Rey champions, but without having defeated their arch rivals the entire season?
