Real Madrid vs Barcelona result, highlights and analysis as Xavi claims Copa del Rey advantage in semifinal win

Feargal Brennan

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona result, highlights and analysis as Xavi claims Copa del Rey advantage in semifinal win image

Barcelona have secured a key Copa del Rey advantage as Xavi's side won 1-0 in their semifinal first leg away at Real Madrid.

The Catalans are leading Los Blancos by seven points in the La Liga title race, and they take a crucial lead back to Camp Nou for the second leg on April 5.

Both sides struggled for chances on the night, with Real Madrid failing to register a single shot on target, as Barcelona claimed a fortunate first-half breakthrough.

Eder Militao deflected Franck Kessie's saved shot into his own net and Barcelona's new-look defence held firm in the second half.

MORE: Ronaldinho's son joins Barcelona: Who is Joao de Assis Moreira? 

Shot-shy Real Madrid suffer more Copa del Rey misery

Real Madrid looked a shadow of the team that scored five and ripped Liverpool apart at Anfield last month as they failed to even trouble the Barca goal.

There will be no need for panic, given Real Madrid's all-star attack, but Barcelona will take huge motivation from this tie as they try and hold off the defending champions.

A new record, based on no shots on target makes uncomfortable reading for Ancelotti, as the chance to stop Barcelona's double quest takes a major hit.

Los Blancos fans proudly showcase their club's incredible La Liga and Champions League record, but they face a fight to avoid another Copa del Rey failure, having not reached the final since 2014.

Xavi's defensive gamble pays off in style in Madrid

Xavi made no secret of his frustration at Barcelona's 1-0 La Liga defeat at Almeria last weekend — describing it as their worst game of the season so far.

A missed chance to increase their title edge, and a lacklustre defensive showing, persuaded the former midfielder to shuffle his options in Madrid.

He opted to change his entire back line with Marcos Alonso handed a converted role at centre-back alongside Ronald Araujo.

Xavi highlighted Vinicius Jr as Real Madrid's dangerman in possession, and deployed Araujo and Jules Kounde on the right side of his defence, to double up, and reduce the Brazilian's threat.

Karim Benzema had an off-night, but Alonso's aerial ability and experience saw him preferred over Andreas Christensen to shackle the Frenchman.

Two El Clasicos to decide the season?

Barcelona's season is now solely focused on domestic action after being dumped out of the Europa League by Manchester United in February.

Xavi has built up a healthy edge in La Liga, and they are now favourites to reach the Copa del Rey final —  despite Xavi downplaying the situation — with either Osasuna or Athletic Club on the horizon.

The cliche rings true for Xavi and Barcelona — both titles are theirs to lose from here.

Ancelotti is under pressure, despite an incredible return to Madrid last season, with the demands of the top job at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as demanding as anywhere in Europe.

Barca host Real Madrid in La Liga action on March 19, before the Copa second leg on April 5, and if they can avoid defeat, Xavi merely has to keep his team on track to secure a first league title since 2019.

MORE: When is Real Madrid vs Barcelona? El Clasico dates for 2022/23 La Liga season and Copa del Rey semifinal

Real Madrid vs Barcelona final score

  1H 2H Final
Real Madrid 0 0 0
Barcelona 1 0 1

Goals:

  • Militao (O.G.) — BAR — 27th min 

Confirmed lineups:

Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Courtois (GK) — Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho — Modric, Camavinga, Kroos — Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Real Madrid subs: Lunin (GK), Lopez (GK), Vazquez, Vallejo, Odriozola, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Hazard, Diaz, Rodriguez, Asensio, Rodrygo

Getty Images

Barcelona XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Balde — Kessie, Busquets, de Jong — Raphinha, Torres, Gavi

Barcelona subs: Pena (GK), Tenas (GK), Roberto, Christensen, Alba, Garcia, Torre, Alarcon, Fati, Estanis

MORE: When is every El Clasico this season?

Real Madrid vs Barcelona as it happened in Copa del Rey semifinal

FULLTIME: REAL MADRID 0 BARCELONA 1 

It's ALL over in Madrid, and Barcelona have the Copa del Rey advantage ahead of the second leg, thanks to a battling 1-0 win at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

A bizarre own goal is the difference between the two sides on the night, and Real Madrid will need a comeback win at the Camp Nou to secure a first Copa del Rey final since 2014.

90+3 mins: Xavi's antics earn him a booking, and the Spaniard needs to be careful as he is already serving a touchline ban for this weekend's La Liga clas with Valencia.

90 mins: Five minutes added on........and a BIG chance for Rodrygo!!

The Brazilian worked an angle on the edge of the box but Ter Stegen watches it wide of the post.

86 mins: The hero from last weekend is ON for Real Madrid!!

Alvaro Rodriguez scored his first ever Los Blancos goal off the bench to rescue a point against Atletico Madrid, can he save them tonight?

83 mins: Barcelona are set to hang on here.....as Real Madrid have offered nothing......but Ancelotti's side LOVE a late goal!!

76 mins: WHAT A CHANCE FOR 2-0!!

Gavi does well to pull a cross back across the box for Kessie, as the pair link up again, but the Ivorian's goal bound strike is blocked by Fati!!

*Video available in US

A let off for Real Madrid!!

73 mins: A chance from a corner, but Gavi's header flashes wide, and Aurelien Tchouameni comes on for Toni Kroos.

70 mins: Ancelotti and Xavi make their first changes of the night as the two injury doubts ahead of kickoff enter the fray. Fati replaces Raphinha and Rodrygo comes on for Nacho.

65 mins: There is a real pattern setting in here now, as Barcelona frustrate Madrid, and the yellow cards mount up, as Kessie catches Carvajal with a stray arm.

60 mins: Some alert defending from Marcos Alonso blocks off Benzema inside the box, and still no attempts on target from the hosts, as we hit the hour mark.

55 mins: Camavinga is the next player to try his luck from distance.........but again, it flies over the top.

Another booking, as Nacho pushes Raphinha over, and the frustration mounts for Real Madrid.

50 mins: A bright start from the hosts to the second period as Ter Stegen is forced to slash away Vini Jr's shot. Gavi picks up a booking as the referee has enough of his constant fouls.

46 mins: WE ARE BACK!!

No changes at the half time interval but can Real Madrid find a response?

HALF TIME: REAL MADRID 0 BARCELONA 1

Barcelona have the edge at half time in unconventional circumstances in Madrid as Militao's strange own goal puts Xavi's side ahead.

Los Blancos will look to rally in the second period, but they are yet to register a shot on target tonight, with Barcelona comfortable hitting them on the counter.

45 minutes: Two minutes added on as Raphinha goes into the referee's book for persistent fouling.

40 mins: Another half chance for Real Madrid as Dani Carvajal gambles on a cross to the back post......but his volley is miles over the top......the hosts needed Benzema there!

35 mins: Modric cuts inside and fires wide of the target, as Barca break at the other end, and Gavi drags an effort past the far post........that was a chance for the teenager!!

27 mins: GOALLLLLLLLLLLL - BARCA LEAD

From NOWHERE Barca are 1-0 up.......in BIZARRE style

Franck Kessie burst in behind the Real Madrid defence, but as his poked shot is blocked by Thibaut Courtois, the retreating Militao diverts it into his own net!!!

*Video available in US

A quick VAR check......... for a possible foul by Kessie in the build up.....all clear, and Barca are in front!!!

*Video available in UK

25 mins: The first yellow card of the night.........it's been coming!!

Frenkie de Jong and Vini Jr's get tangled in some WWE style battling in midfield, but the Brazilian drags the Dutchman down, and picks up a caution.

He is NOT happy about that!

*Video available in US

20 mins: Barcelona have weathered that early storm of pressure, with Gavi winning a foul from Eder Militao, to ease the pressure.

15 mins: Karim Benzema has the ball in the back of the Barcelona net, as he nods home Vini Jr's dinked cross, but the Frenchman was narrowly offside.

However, Real Madrid's deadly duo come again, as Benzema forces a corner, and Vini Jr's driven cross is grabbed by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

10 mins: A busy start at both ends here in Madrid as Vinicius Jr slaloms past Ronald Araujo, but fires into the side netting, and Nacho does well to recover and deny Raphinha on the counter attack.

1 min: Almost an imediate chance for Los Blancos as Luka Modric races in behind and fires over........but the offside flag is up against the Croatian.

WE ARE OFF!!! - REAL MADRID VS BARCELONA

10 mins from kickoff: How decisive will the Pedri factor be tonight?

Barcelona are without key star Pedri tonight with the La Blaugrana engine room struggling in the the 20-year-old's absence.

20 mins from kickoff: A record breaking night in store for Sergio Busquets as the Barcelona captain overtakes Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos as the top El Clasico appearance maker of all time.

40 mins from kickoff: Barcelona's last Copa del Rey El Clasico meeting with Real Madrid came at the semifinal stage back in 2018/19. A 1-1 first leg draw at the Camp Now had the tie on a knife edge, before Luis Suarez inspired the Catalans to victory in Madrid.

1 hr 10 mins from kickoff: Barca team news is IN

Xavi is bold in his changes, following their weekend loss to Almeria, with a completely new defence for the visitors, as Marcos Alonso, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde all start.

However, the big news is Ansu Fati's injury recovery, as the Spanish international makes the bench.

1hr 30 mins from kickoff: Real Madrid strike again with the early team news reveal

Ancelotti is up to his old tricks with early confirmation of his starting XI for tonight's clash with two changes from their 1-1 La Liga derby draw with Atletico Madrid last weekend.

Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga both come into the midfield, alongside Toni Kroos, with Fede Valverde pushed forward, and Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos dropping to the bench.

2 hrs from kickoff: The stage is set for a crucial night at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid vs Barcelona confirmed lineups

Carlo Ancelotti is still without defensive pair David Alaba and Ferland Mendy with Brazilian international Rodrygo on the bench.

However, the Italian is set to rotate his options, with Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga set to start, with Fede Valverde pushing further forward, into attack.

Real Madrid confirmed XI (4-3-3): Courtois (GK) — Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho — Modric, Camavinga, Kroos — Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Real Madrid subs: Lunin (GK), Lopez (GK), Vazquez, Vallejo, Odriozola, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Hazard, Diaz, Rodriguez, Asensio, Rodrygo

Xavi's plans have been hit by the absence of star striker Robert Lewandowski due to a hamstring strain, with Pedri, Ousmane Dembele out, but Ansu Fati is fit enough to make the bench.

Barcelona confirmed XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Balde — Kessie, Busquets, de Jong — Raphinha, Torres, Gavi

Barcelona subs: Pena (GK), Tenas (GK), Roberto, Garcia, Christensen, Alba Torre, Alarcon, Fati, Estanis

Real Madrid vs Barcelona live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch all of the action from this match in some of the major territories:

  TV channel Streaming
USA — ESPN+
Canada — —
UK BT Sport 1 BT Sport app/site
Australia — —
New Zealand — —
India — —
Hong Kong — —
Malaysia —

—
Singapore — —

UK: This game is available for fans in the UK via BT Sport's TV and streaming services

USA: This match streams on the ESPN+ platform for subscribers in both English and Spanish.

Feargal Brennan

Feargal Brennan Photo

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.