MADRID: Holders Barcelona squandered a chance to all but seal a probable King’s Cup semifinal showdown with Real Madrid when they conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 at home to 10-man Malaga in their last-eight first-leg match on Wednesday.
Barca beat Malaga 3-1 in La Liga on Sunday and coach Tito Vilanova and his Malaga counterpart Manuel Pellegrini both rested top players for the Cup clash at the Nou Camp.
After withstanding a barrage of early Barca attacks, Malaga drew first blood in the 25th minute when Thiago Alcantara dithered just outside his penalty area. He was dispossessed by Manuel Iturra who slotted past Jose Manuel Pinto.
Barca’s reaction was swift and another defensive lapse gifted them an equaliser just three minutes later.
Lionel Messi, who showed off his four FIFA Ballon d’Or awards to the home fans before kickoff, robbed Weligton on the right and sped into the area before curling a low shot beyond Carlos Kameni.
Barca took the lead a minute later when captain Carles Puyol stooped to meet Alcantara’s corner and sent a looping header over Kameni and in off a post.
Neither side created much danger in the second half but Malaga looked to be in serious trouble when Ignacio Monreal picked up a straight red card for felling Pedro when he was through on goal with 15 minutes left.
However, Barca failed to make their numerical advantage count and Ignacio Camacho was left unmarked at the far post to clip in a 90th-minute equaliser.
Real are the likely opponents in the last four after they beat Valencia 2-0 in the first leg on Tuesday.
New Sevilla coach Unai Emery, appointed this week to replace the sacked Michel, had a disappointing debut when the Andalusian club were held to a 0-0 draw at Real Zaragoza. (Reuters)
