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Played
February 1, 2012 8:00 PM GMT
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee: José González
Attendance: 51800
February 1, 2012 8:00 PM GMT
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee: José González
Attendance: 51800
27′
Jonas
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| Valencia | 17.00 | 4.75 | 17.00 | 5.10 |
| Draw | 1.14 | 3.60 | 1.07 | 3.55 |
| Barcelona | 7.00 | 1.73 | 7.50 | 1.74 |
Top of the Match
Jonas
Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Diego Alves
Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Flop of the Match
Miguel Brito
Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Lionel Messi
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Valencia 1-1 Barcelona: Messi misses second-half penalty as absorbing Copa del Rey tie remains well-poised ahead of second leg
Diego Alves' penalty save from the Argentine denies Catalans from taking a lead back to Camp Nou but Pep Guardiola will still be confident of overcoming Los Che in the return leg
By Daniel Quinton-Navarro
Carles Puyol secured a 1-1 draw for Barcelona in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Valencia, with the away goal putting the Catalan side in pole position to reach a third final in four years, although victory could have been theirs had Lionel Messi not missed a penalty in the second half.
The hosts deservedly led through Jonas' emphatic finish midway through the first period, only for Puyol to level the match before the break with his downward header.
A subdued opening found life when Messi embarked on a typically dangerous run, drawing a free kick, but the Argentine's effort lacked sufficient curl as it went a yard off target.
With Los Che beginning to dominate proceedings, the Mestalla were left infuriated when Jose Pinto prevented Roberto Soldado from putting Unai Emery's side ahead when he clearly handled outside the area. The officials were disinterested in Valencia's claim as play continued. much to the amazement of the Spain striker.
Valencia continued their high intensity and were soon rewarded when they dispossessed Barcelona deep in their territory. They worked the ball out to Jeremy Mathieu whose cutback was expertly converted by Jonas for the lead.
Suddenly, Barca found a rhythm. Isaac Cuenca's sublime foot work was followed by an intricate ball into the feet of Alexis. The Chilean managed to dig out a shot only to be denied by a brilliant save from the onrushing Diego Alves.
From the resulting corner, the Blaugrana opted for a customary cross which brought dividends when an unmarked Puyol brought the scores level with a committed header.
Messi began the second half brightly, and had a wonderful chance to fire Barcelona ahead after Thiago had been felled in the penalty area by Miguel's flailing leg. The Argentine's fragmented run-up did nothing to deter Diego Alves, who pushed his poor spot kick away to safety after springing low to his left.
Barca continued to provided attacking intent but Diego Alves continued his heroics when he palmed Eric Abidal's audacious effort around the post. The Brazilian stopper was then fortunate to see Gerard Pique's header from the resultant corner miss the target.
Pep Guardiola introduced Dani Alves in search of a winning goal and the Brazilian came close to providing it when he combined with Messi. The South American duo played a delicate one-two, with Alves hammering the return pass against the upright before Valencia desperately cleared.
As the match drew to a close neither side lamented any late misses as each began to prepare mentally for the return leg. Guardiola's side will be confident of securing a third Copa del Rey final in four years following Puyol's priceless away goal, although Los Che will still believe that they can progress.
The hosts deservedly led through Jonas' emphatic finish midway through the first period, only for Puyol to level the match before the break with his downward header.
A subdued opening found life when Messi embarked on a typically dangerous run, drawing a free kick, but the Argentine's effort lacked sufficient curl as it went a yard off target.
With Los Che beginning to dominate proceedings, the Mestalla were left infuriated when Jose Pinto prevented Roberto Soldado from putting Unai Emery's side ahead when he clearly handled outside the area. The officials were disinterested in Valencia's claim as play continued. much to the amazement of the Spain striker.
Valencia continued their high intensity and were soon rewarded when they dispossessed Barcelona deep in their territory. They worked the ball out to Jeremy Mathieu whose cutback was expertly converted by Jonas for the lead.
Suddenly, Barca found a rhythm. Isaac Cuenca's sublime foot work was followed by an intricate ball into the feet of Alexis. The Chilean managed to dig out a shot only to be denied by a brilliant save from the onrushing Diego Alves.
From the resulting corner, the Blaugrana opted for a customary cross which brought dividends when an unmarked Puyol brought the scores level with a committed header.
Messi began the second half brightly, and had a wonderful chance to fire Barcelona ahead after Thiago had been felled in the penalty area by Miguel's flailing leg. The Argentine's fragmented run-up did nothing to deter Diego Alves, who pushed his poor spot kick away to safety after springing low to his left.
Barca continued to provided attacking intent but Diego Alves continued his heroics when he palmed Eric Abidal's audacious effort around the post. The Brazilian stopper was then fortunate to see Gerard Pique's header from the resultant corner miss the target.
Pep Guardiola introduced Dani Alves in search of a winning goal and the Brazilian came close to providing it when he combined with Messi. The South American duo played a delicate one-two, with Alves hammering the return pass against the upright before Valencia desperately cleared.
As the match drew to a close neither side lamented any late misses as each began to prepare mentally for the return leg. Guardiola's side will be confident of securing a third Copa del Rey final in four years following Puyol's priceless away goal, although Los Che will still believe that they can progress.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In GMT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Diego Costa Striker Atl. Madrid |
8 | 4 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 1 |
|
Negredo Striker Sevilla |
6 | 3 |
|
David Villa Striker Barcelona |
5 | 0 |
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
4 | 0 |
