A late strike from Xavi Hernandez gave Barça a deserved equalizer in last night’s Copa del Rey semis first leg game with Valencia. David Villa had given Valencia the lead (70′), but Barça’s efforts were at the end rewarded with a result that leaves the second leg in Mestalla open.

Rijkaard changed the team, so Iniesta started the game on the bench, the Spaniard was replaced by Deco. Abidal and Henry returned in place of Sylvinho and Ronaldinho.

Barça wanted to reinforce the image that had offered in the last four games, after the disappointing draw in Bilbao, and by the 7′ they have enjoyed a triple chance to beat Hildebrand. Valencia also had their chances a couple of minutes later when it appeared as if Joaquin had given Valencia the lead, but the goal was disallowed for handball. It seemed that the teams gave themselves a break after the the lively until Henry had two clear chances just before the half hour.

Before the first half came to an end Toure, Messi, Etoo and Abidal had their chances, for none from Valencia.

Messi started very active the second half, but his and Eto’o’s changes were neutralised by the keeper and the defense. Rijkaard then moved the bench, bringing in Bojan and Iniesta in place of Deco and Henry, but two minutes later (69’) Silva took the lead after a pass from Arizmendi, in the only chance that Valencia had in the second half.

After the goal Barça tried to react forcing three corners in a few minutes. In the last ten minutes that the chances became continuous. First Messi had a shot stopped after a meritorious run (81’), and Iniesta’s shot from the rebound was blocked between a defender and the goalkeeper. Then Milito and Zambrotta had good opportunities. Then Hildebrand tipped away Toure’s shot for another corner, and within the four minutes of added time Eto’o’s effort was intercepted after a neat flick from Xavi.

Barça got the equalizer after Toure passed Eto’o who touched the ball with his hand before shooting, Hildebrand made another save but Xavi shot the rebound to the net. It was the least Barça deserved after another good performance. Barça will now need a win or a high scoring draw in the second leg to get through to the final on April 16.

Goals: m70 Villa 0-1; m94 Xavi 1-1.

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FC Barcelona will play Valencia in the semi finals of the Spanish Cup. Racing Santander and Getafe will play the other draw. Barsa, “King of Cups” with 24 titles, have reached the semi finals 10 years after winning their last Spanish Cup against Mallorca. Henry’s goal last night allowed Barcelona to reach the semifinals, in a very delicate moment of the season, 9 points behind Real Madrid and just about to re-take their presence in The Champions League.

FC Barcelona v Valencia is, for many, a final, since Racing Santander never reached this point in the competition and Getafe only played one final, last year against Sevilla. Valencia FC are living an important crisis, and haven’t scored in the last 4 games played in La Liga in 2008. The Spanish Cup is probably the last chance to play a European competition next season, since they are 6 points behind the UEFA positions and 10 points behing the Champions League ones.

Ronald Koeman: “Barsa is the rival that nobody wanted”

Koeman said, after the draw celebrated this moring, that FC Barcelona is the rival that all teams wanted to avoid but that the tie is down and they have to accept it. “Getafe, Racing and us probably wanted another rival, but the tie is done and we have to prepare it. But now we have more important games in La Liga”. Regarding the second leg being played in Valencia, the manager said that it’s good, but it’s not a definitive factor, and reminded that in the last round, 3 out of the 4 qualified teams played their first game at home.

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FC Barcelona is closer to win their first Spanish Cup since 1998. Winning this competition is almost mandatory for this Barsa, even though they’d need to overtake three new obstacles: the semifinals -also reached by Valencia, Getafe and Racing Santander - and the big final on April 16th. The next rival will come from the draw celebrated today at noon.

Last week’s defeat in Bilbao seemed to encourage the teat that showed a completely different attitude than in San Mames. The team reminded the good times and, with Henry and Messi giving their best performance, Barsa challenged Villareal during the first half. But thanks to an outstanding performance from the goalkeeper Diego Lopez, the Yellow Team avoided a bigger defeat.

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