maximum success for Barça, winner in Madrid and who takes an option for the final

Barça took the lead in this semi-final first leg. JAVIER SORIANO / AFP

The first leg for Barça. In a bumpy encounter and with very few chances, the Catalans won on the lawn of the Bernabeu (1-0), in the first leg of the King’s Cup semi-final. And this thanks to an own goal from Eder Militao. Real generally dominated the debates without really being dangerous while the Blaugrana, deprived of several executives (Lewandowski, Dembélé, Pedri), had a lot of trouble coping with the opposing pressure, chaining technical errors, but have showed unfailing solidity.

In a generally disappointing meeting where the chances were clearly lacking, Real started well and even thought they opened the scoring by Benzema on a serve from Vinicius, but the Frenchman was offside (12th). Harmless until then, Barça reacted before the half hour mark. Taking advantage of an error by Camavinga in his camp, Torres sped towards goal, served Kessie who stumbled on Courtois but the ball, sent back to Militao, ended up in the Merengue goal (0-1, 26th).

Barça suffers, but…

A twist of fate favorable to a minimalist Barça (only 3 strikes!) who then suffered a lot without being afraid. Carvajal (41st), Vinicius (49th, 57th) and Rodrygo (90th) then had situations but each time, the last gesture was lacking and it was Kessie who finally almost doubled the lead with a strike from the right , but… Fati countered the attempt of his partner who spun into the back of the net (72nd). Despite everything, Barça therefore takes a slight advantage before the return, on April 5, at Camp Nou.