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

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde discusses Lionel Messi involvement in Real Madrid clash

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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[6 February 2019 17:57 · Tom Kershaw]

Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

[6 February 2019 18:06 · Tom Kershaw]

Ernesto Valverde is waiting anxiously on the fitness of Lionel Messi after the Argentine suffered a thigh strain in the Catalans' 2-2 draw with Valencia on the weekend.

It is true that sometimes we have had doubts with players and we have waited until the last moment. It is the same with Messi.

[6 February 2019 18:34 · Tom Kershaw]

Real Madrid have been rejuvenated after a calamitous start to the season under Julen Lopetegui.

Santiago Solari's side have won seven of their last eight games. 

[6 February 2019 18:38 · Tom Kershaw]

Here is The Independent's combined starting XI for tonight's fixture:

[6 February 2019 19:06 · Tom Kershaw]

The team news is in. Messi starts on the bench!

[6 February 2019 19:07 · Tom Kershaw]

Vinicius and Llorente start for Madrid.

[6 February 2019 19:18 · Tom Kershaw]

Solari has chosen to play 24-year-old Marcos Llorente ahead of Casemiro for the fixture.

The belief behind the decision was supposedly that the tireless runner would be able to man-mark Lionel Messi but with the Argentine left out that could well be a gamble the Madrid boss is now regretting.

[6 February 2019 19:26 · Tom Kershaw]

Barcelona's assistant manager, Jon Aspiazu, has spoken to Gol about Messi's fitness:

We didn't want to take any risk. Messi is 100%, but we preferred for him to start on the bench. He could come on at any moment.

[6 February 2019 19:34 · Tom Kershaw]

Barcelona remain the favourites tonight, even without their talisman. They've won the last four clasicos and still have Luis Suarez leading the line. The Uruguayan has scored 16 goals and added eight assists in 29 games so far this season.

[6 February 2019 19:42 · Tom Kershaw]

Madrid are finishing off their warm-up. The last time they stepped on the Camp Nou pitch they were felled 5-1, which proved the final straw of Julen Lopetegui's reign.