Real Madrid v Barcelona HT

A Cristiano Ronaldo strike separated the two sides at half-time in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey quarter final at the Bernabeau.

Barcelona gained control of possession early on but struggled to break down the resolute Real Madrid backline which featured Ricardo Carvalho for the first time in 3 months.

Ronaldo opened the scoring 15 minutes in with a left footed drive between the legs of Barcelona backup keeper Pinto, after a lovely through ball from Karim Benzema.

And the game once more dissolved into a tempestuous affair, the theatrics of  Pepe earned Gerard Pique a yellow card, while Sergio Busquets lived up to reputation with a number of dives.

Barcelona created two more chances with Lionel Messi’s shot saved by Casillas, before Iniesta then missed a great opportunity, his effort couldn’t find the target from close range after a clever move with Alexsis Sanchez.

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