A tenacious Barcelona annoyed Actual Madrid to safe a 1-0 win over their bitter rivals in an ill-tempered Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on the Bernabeu on Thursday.

The guests defended fantastically after Madrid centre-back Eder Militao scored an personal purpose within the first half, managing to beat the lack of key gamers Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, who all missed the sport on account of accidents.

It was a much-needed win for Barca after arriving within the Spanish capital beneath strain, having been knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United after which shedding at lowly Almeria to halt a seven-game successful streak in LaLiga.

“We’d have appreciated to have the ball extra, to regulate de recreation a little bit extra however we fought laborious and competed in a excessive degree. They’d the ball however didnt create many possibilities. We obtained the benefit for the second leg and that is actually vital,” Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets informed TVE.

Actual Madrid began higher and dominated the primary quarter-hour, however Barcelona began to show issues round as they took management of the midfield and their defensive recreation plan labored brilliantly.

Barca centre again Ronald Araujo did a terrific job at right-back to neutralise the specter of the harmful Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema was left alone up entrance.

Madrid turned annoyed and tempers flared earlier than the hosts made the essential mistake which gave Barca what turned out to be the winner.

Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga gifted a again go to Ferran Torres, who reacted shortly to slip the ball to Franck Kessie.

His point-blank strike was saved by Thibault Courtois, however the rebound bounced off Militao and into the web.

The assistant referee signalled offside however the VAR replay confirmed Kessie was fractionally onside and the purpose stood.

Barcelona locked Actual Madrid into a fair tighter state of affairs throughout the second half and though the hosts dominated possession, they hardly ever threatened to equalise.

Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect didn’t document a single shot on the right track regardless of having nearly 70 per cent of possession within the second half and Barca ought to have prolonged their lead within the 71st minute when a Kessie shot that beat Courtois was blocked by team-mate Ansu Fati.

Substitute Rodrygo had Madrid’s finest probability with a late long-range strike that flew narrowly extensive of the publish.

The groups meet once more in Barcelona on April 5 with the winners to face Athletic Bilbao or Osasuna within the closing.