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As it happenedended

Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Malcom cancels out Lucas Vazquez opener in Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg

Relive all the live action from Camp Nou

Tom Kershaw
Wednesday 06 February 2019 16:45 EST
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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde discusses Lionel Messi involvement in Real Madrid clash

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Winger Malcom's second half strike secured Barcelona a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid to leave the Copa del Rey semi-final evenly poised on Wednesday after the first leg.

The Brazilian, who started in place of Lionel Messi, curled home in the 58th minute to pull Barcelona level after Lucas Vazquez had fired Real Madrid ahead early on.

Vazquez struck after just six minutes to silence the Nou Camp at the end of a slick team move, with Santiago Solari’s side impressing in the opening stages.

However, Ivan Rakitic clipped the crossbar with a header as Barcelona fought for an equaliser and Malcom eventually found it when Luis Suarez’s shot rebounded to him off the post.

Messi, who suffered a thigh injury at the weekend against Valencia, appeared for the final half hour but could not help champions Barcelona find a late winner.

Reuters

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19': Malcom is played clean through on goal via a gaping hole between Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. The out-of-favour winger has the option to take it round Keylor Navas but instead dribbles a weak shot at the keeper. A split-second later and the whistle is blown for offside, but it's too late to save the Brazilian's blushes.

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:24

21': The defence from both sides has been very poor but it's making the game incredibly exciting to watch. Every time either team is dispossessed, their centre-backs are caught with a gully between them. We're bound to see more goals this half.

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:26

25': Malcom works some space on the right and runs at Marcos Llorente. A blaze of stepovers leaves the Real Madrid midfielder in a daze who body checks the Brazilian long after he's passed to Suarez. It'll be a free-kick in a dangerous position for Barca. Llorente escapes a yellow card.

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:30

26': And from the resultant free-kick Gerard Pique leaps highest, but his header loops just over the bar with Ter Stergen at full-stretch. 

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:31

29': Busquets is not happy after he's penalised for what appeared to be a perfectly timed tackle on Vinicius. His angry reaction engenders a talking too from the referee who seems happy to use his cards liberally tonight. His hand lingers over the pocket but abstains on this occasion.

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:33

30': Malcom has settled into the game now and is working brilliantly down the right-hand flank with Nelson Semedo. The pair link-up again with a nice one-two and Malcom charges toward the byline before attempting to cut back to Luis Suarez. Raphael Varane's there to clear with a goal-saving lunge.

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:35

31': The ball eventually comes back out Malcom on the right who's clumsily fouled by Vinicius. That was a naive tackle and from the resultant free-kick Ivan Rakitic heads onto the bar!

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:36

33': And now it's Madrid who have Barca reeling! From that same Catalan free-kick, Vinicius sprints upfield, darts beyond Ramos and Varane and cuts the ball square towards Benzema who only has an open net ahead of him. The pass is just a fraction too hard though and the Frenchman can't get there.

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:39

35': It really is a breathless half at Camp Nou as the teams sides go blow-for-blow. Again, it's Malcom who carves the opening, jinking in off the right, dancing beyond two defenders along the edge of the box before teeing up Suarez. The Uruguayan's side-footed shot is palmed away by Navas though. 

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:41

40': Real Madrid are doing a brilliant job of pressing. As soon as Solari's side are out of possession, Vinicius and Vazquez drop back and it's the Brazilian who charges back to dispossess compatriot Malcom on the edge of his own box this time. 

Tom Kershaw6 February 2019 20:45

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