El Clasico: Eder Militao own goal hands Barcelona slender 1-0 win over Real Madrid in Copa del Rey

Barcelona registered a slender 1-0 win over rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final thanks to an own goal from Brazilian defender Eder Militao.

This was the first of the three matches set to be played between the two sides in the next few weeks. The two Spanish powerhouses will lock horns in La Liga on March 19 in Barcelona and then in the return leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final on April 5.

Barcelona opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga lost the ball to Barcelona winger Ferran Torres, who quickly slid the ball in Frank Kessie’s path. The Ivorian took a point-blank shot, which was ably saved by Thibaut Courtois in goal but the rebound counced off Militao and back into his own net.

Barcelona came close to doubling their lead but were denied when Kessie’s shot in the 71st minute was blocked by team-mate Ansu Fati. Brazilian winger, Rodrygo, who came on as a substitute for the Los Blancos created the best chance of the game for the hosts, blasting a shot narrowly wide of the target from long-range.

Interestingly, Madrid did not have a single shot on target despite having 65% of the ball-possession.

Speaking after the match, Barcelona coach Xavi said he is satisfied with the result but not how they played, adding that Madrid are still the favorites to advance to the next round of the competition.

“I’m satisfied with the result but not with how we played. It will be good to play at home in the return leg, with our fans, but I still think that Madrid is the favorite to advance,” said Xavi.

The teams meet again in Barcelona on April 5 with the winners to face Athletic Bilbao or Osasuna in the final of the Copa del Rey.