Copa del Rey: Valencia 1 Barcelona 1

Barcelona are likely to qualify for the Copa del Rey final after they drew 1-1 at Valencia in the semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

The Catalan giants could have won the match but Lionel Messi’s second-half spot-kick was saved by Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves.

But they will still be happy with a point from a tricky away leg, secured after Carles Puyol cancelled out Jonas’ opener for Valencia.

The hosts were baffled when Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto appeared to handle the ball outside the penalty area in the early stages.

Pinto prevented Roberto Soldado from giving Valencia an early lead with a save that infuriated the home crowd at the Mestalla.

Valencia’s protests were turned down but they started well and soon had the game’s first goal when they won the ball off Barcelona in a good area, before Jeremy Mathieu’s clever cut-back was converted by Jonas for his fourth goal in the competition this season.

Alexis Sanchez almost responded immediately for Barca, but his attempt was brilliantly saved by Diego Alves, although the resulting corner produced the equaliser as unmarked Puyol headed home.

Messi looked lively in the early stages of the second half and he was given the perfect chance to score when Thiago Alcantara was fouled by Valencia defender Miguel in the penalty area.

The pint-sized Argentine forward stuttered in his run-up before hitting a poor spot-kick to Diego Alves’ left which was easily saved.

Barcelona kept coming with Diego Alves required to save well to deny Eric Abidal before Gerard Pique missed a free header.

And in the dying stages, Messi and Barcelona substitute Dani Alves combined beautifully only for the latter to strike his effort against the post.

With Puyol’s valuable away goal, Pep Guardiola’s side will feel confident ahead of the second leg to be held on February 8 at the Nou Camp.