Jump directly to the content
Barca 1 Real Madrid 1

Bale fluffs glorious chance of late Real Madrid winner after Messi’s replacement Malcom rescues Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg draw for Barcelona

Vazquez fires early opener but Brazilian starlet hits superb leveller as Barca fight back for a deserved draw

Sponsored by

SUB Gareth Bale fluffed a glorious late chance of a Real Madrid winner after Barcelona fought back well for a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg draw - despite Lionel Messi only coming on for a brief cameo.

Ernesto Valverde declined to risk main man Messi following his weekend thigh injury - but the Argentina legend was badly missed when Real clearly edged the first half.

Gareth Bale cannot believe it after cocking up a gaping chance to clinch a first-leg win for Real
11
Gareth Bale cannot believe it after cocking up a gaping chance to clinch a first-leg win for RealCredit: Getty - Contributor

Lucas Vazquez bagged Real's soft, sixth-minute opener in a first 45 minutes that sparked without ever quite exploding into life.

Vinicius Junior crossed for Karim Benzema to control and feed Spain winger Vazquez, who drilled home from the middle of the box.

Ivan Rakitic headed Barcelona team-mate Malcom's centre onto the bar.

But Valverde's men spluttered before the interval.

Barcelona's Brazilian midfielder Malcom takes the acclaim after grabbing the equaliser
11
Barcelona's Brazilian midfielder Malcom takes the acclaim after grabbing the equaliserCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Malcom has had a mixed time at Barcelona and was overjoyed to bag the leveller
11
Malcom has had a mixed time at Barcelona and was overjoyed to bag the levellerCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

Yet Malcom poached a 57th minute leveller that transformed the tie.

Real skipper Sergio Ramos cleared a Luis Suarez shot off the line but Malcom nipped onto the rebound to fire home beautifully.

Barca were on top at last once Messi came on - but it was Bale who entered the fray for the bigger impact.

The Welshman wasted a gaping opportunity on 84 minutes when Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen dashed out but was beaten to the ball by Benzema.

Lucas Vazquez finishes confidently past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give Real their first-half lead
11
Lucas Vazquez finishes confidently past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give Real their first-half leadCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Lucas Vazquez celebrates his opener for Real Madrid in the El Clasico with Sergio Ramos
11
Lucas Vazquez celebrates his opener for Real Madrid in the El Clasico with Sergio RamosCredit: Getty Images - Getty

MOST READ IN SPORT

Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen headlining TODAY, Humphries THROUGH
WORLD DARTS CHAMPS

Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen headlining TODAY, Humphries THROUGH

Major broadcaster ends Premier League coverage as fans are left heartbroken
'SUCH A PITY'

Major broadcaster ends Premier League coverage as fans are left heartbroken

Trent Alexander-Arnold 'tells Liverpool he wants Real Madrid transfer'
GO ARN THEN

Trent Alexander-Arnold 'tells Liverpool he wants Real Madrid transfer'

Saka undergoes surgery and set for months out in huge Arsenal injury blow
BUKAYO BLOW

Saka undergoes surgery and set for months out in huge Arsenal injury blow

Brazil starlet Malcom pounced to make it 1-1 against Real Madrid in the 57th minute
11
Brazil starlet Malcom pounced to make it 1-1 against Real Madrid in the 57th minuteCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Barcelona's German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has little chance as Lucas Vazquez hits the opener
11
Barcelona's German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has little chance as Lucas Vazquez hits the openerCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Luis Suarez looks forlorn after Barcelona fell behind to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg
11
Luis Suarez looks forlorn after Barcelona fell behind to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first legCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Real Madrid on the menu? Mauricicio Pochettino dines with Galacticos Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham before sneaking out via kitchen
Lionel Messi was only a late sub after hurting his thigh in the 2-2 weekend draw with Valencia
11
Lionel Messi was only a late sub after hurting his thigh in the 2-2 weekend draw with ValenciaCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal is down injured as ref Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz looks on
11
Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal is down injured as ref Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz looks onCredit: Reuters
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, right, watches on concerned - with Real chief Santiago Solari also surveying a tight first-half
11
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, right, watches on concerned - with Real chief Santiago Solari also surveying a tight first-halfCredit: AP:Associated Press

The Frenchman quickly fed the Wales star on the left but Bale cut inside ponderously and saw his shot blocked by covering defenders.

Bale had returned from a calf injury in Real's 3-0 win over Alaves last weekend - but, like Messi, both men are clearly seen as more important in la Liga.

The El Clasico rivals clash twice more in the next 24 days.

Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU