Copa del Rey wrap: Barca edge El Clasico, Athletic take advantage

Barcelona came from a goal down to beat Real Madrid 2-1 away from home in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

Holders Real took the lead against their bitter rivals 11 minutes into the match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

France striker Karim Benzema found a pocket of space inside the centre circle and slipped a perfectly weighted pass through to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal international nicked the ball past Gerard Pique with a neat step-over, before lashing a left-footed strike through the legs of Barca goalkeeper Jose Pinto.

Despite going into the break a goal down, Barcelona had enjoyed the best of the first half, with Andres Iniesta missing a decent chance inside the box from a left-footed strike and Lionel Messi seeing a near-post shot excellently saved by Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

The second half started at lightning pace and it took Pep Guardiola’s visiting side just three minutes to equalise, courtesy of a goal from captain Carles Puyol.

Xavi Hernandez’s corner kick dropped deep into the Real box, and Puyol came flying in to power home a diving header and level the scores at 1-1.

Barcelona continued to dominate possession as the game progressed, and their patient approach paid off in the 76th minute when fullback Eric Abidal made it 2-1 with his second-ever goal for the club.

Argentina forward Messi clipped a sensational pass over the top of the Real Madrid defence, and Abidal coolly took the ball down on his chest before stabbing past Casillas.

With the victory, Barca became the first team to visit Real seven times in succession without tasting defeat, and they will take a narrow lead into the second leg at Camp Nou on January 25.

Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao took the lead in their quarter-final against Mallorca with a 2-0 win in the first leg at home.

Fernando Llorente opened the scoring for the hosts 10 minutes before half-time at San Mames.

The Spain international nodded home with a clinical header following good work and a dinked cross from strike-partner Oscar de Marcos.

Iker Muniain doubled the lead a minute before the hour mark, slotting home a simple finish after the winger was left unmarked at the back post.

Athletic will take a healthy 2-0 lead away with them in the return match at Mallorca’s Iberostar Stadium on January 25.