The first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Barcelona and Real Sociedad took place at the Camp Nou this evening.
The home side dominated proceedings in the first period and took the lead late in the half through Sergio Busquets, while Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez was dismissed for dissent.
Barcelona were 2-0 ahead on the hour mark when Gorka Elustondo fired into the back of his own goalkeeper inside the box, with Enaut Zubikarai credited with the own goal.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Copa del Rey semi-final coverage continues this evening as Barcelona welcome Real Sociedad for the first leg. As mentioned, Barca enter the match off the back of a 3-2 home defeat to Valencia in La Liga. That result dropped them to second in the table, but they have not lost at the Camp Nou to Sociedad since the 1990/91 campaign.
15 minutos para el inicio del partido. Aspecto del Camp Nou. pic.twitter.com/X11g3lLCI8
— Raul Fuentes (@RaulMarca) February 5, 2014
Sociedad, meanwhile, who have not played in the final of the Copa del Rey for 26 years, were beaten 4-0 at Atletico Madrid at the weekend. The Basque outfit finished fourth in La Liga last season, but an inconsistent campaign has left them in sixth this time around, seven points from the top four. Meanwhile, just 13 of their 36 points have come on the road.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won three of the last five matches, with Sociedad winning once and the further fixture ending in a draw. Sociedad recorded a 3-2 success over Barca at San Sebastian in January 2013, but they have already lost 4-1 in the Camp Nou in La Liga this season.
TEAMS:
BARCELONA: Pinto; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Sanchez, Messi, Pedro
SOCIEDAD: Zubikarai; Zaldua, Ansotegi, Mikel, Inigo, Angel; Zurutuza, Elustondo, Gaztanaga, Griezmann; Vela
So there we have it. No Andres Iniesta in the Barca XI this evening, but Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and Pedro all start. Sociedad, meanwhile, leave skipper Xabi Prieto on the bench, but leading scorer Antoine Griezmann starts alongside Carlos Vela. Right, the away side get the first period underway on this mild evening in Barcelona.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening - far from it in fact. However, there is a strong atmosphere. As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes. Put simply, Sociedad are set up to defend this evening with a five-man defence and narrow midfield three.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Vela chases a long ball before setting up Griezmann on the edge of the box, but the Frenchman's effort is saved by Pinto. That would have livened this match up that is for certain.
In case you have just joined us - the winner of this match will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the final. Those two met earlier this evening with Real 3-0 winners in the first leg at the Bernabeu. Back to the Camp Nou, Alba delivers a low cross into the Sociedad box, but Zubikarai is on hand to collect under pressure from Alexis Sanchez.
Barcelona have controlled the possession in the opening eight minutes, but Sociedad have had plenty of opportunities to threaten on the break. Another chance arrives as Gaztanaga faces up to Pique before attempting to find Griezmann, but the Frenchman cannot collect. Down the other end, Pedro fires just over the crossbar after bright work from Messi.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. It is almost being played at a pre-season pace with Barcelona keeping the ball in their own half. Goalless with 11 minutes on the clock at the Camp Nou.
CHANCES! Barcelona's first real chance arrives after 13 minutes as Alves delivers a low cross to the far post - Fabregas makes contact, but his effort is just wide of the post. Seconds later, Sanchez fires wide after Alba had denied Zubikarai.
Barcelona are finding it difficult to raise the intensity at the moment due to the lack of an atmosphere inside the stadium. The home side continue to dominate proceedings, but Sociedad are threatening on the counter. Still goalless after 15 minutes of the first leg.
Vela takes matters into his own hands for the away side as he strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Barcelona are back on the attack moments later, but Sanchez's effort is wide of the post. End-to-end football as the first period continues to gather pace.
Barcelona continue to shoot on sight as Alves hits one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Sociedad cannot keep the ball for long and the home side threaten once more with possession just outside the Sociedad box, but Zurutuza manages to clear for a corner.
Sociedad are forced into a change as Carlos Martinez enters the field in place of Mikel Gonzalez, who leaves the field holding his chest. Busquets has a half-chance for the home side moments later after meeting a corner from Pedro, but the Spaniard plants his header high of the crossbar. Still goalless at the Camp Nou on this still evening in Barcelona.
The flow of the match has been interrupted in the last couple of moments due to an injury to Alves, but the Barcelona right-back is deemed fit to continue. The home side continue to pass and probe outside the Sociedad box, but the visitors close the door on each occasion. Disciplined performance from Sociedad in the opening 24 minutes.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a miss! Messi has two golden chances to score as he meets a cross from Alba, but Zubikarai denies the Argentine on both occasions from close range. It isn't quite happening for Messi in front of goal at the moment. Sociedad survive with 26 minutes on the clock.
Good spell for Sociedad in the last couple of moments as they enjoy more of the ball in the Barcelona half. A half-chance arrives as Zaldua finds Griezmann inside the box, but Pique manages to clear at the vital moment. The away side have had their moments this evening there is no question about that.
Plenty of possession for the home side as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Sociedad have been compact in defensive areas. It is like watching a training exercise. Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come next week.
Couple of half-chances in quick succession for the home side as a period of pinball occurs in the Sociedad box, but the away side manage to clear at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that one goal would settle everyone down. Those inside the stadium are letting off a nervous tension there is no question about that.
As it stands, Barcelona have had 11 shots to Sociedad's two. However, the away side have arguably had one of the best opportunities with Griezmann testing Pinto from close range. The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges.
It must be said that the lack of an atmosphere inside the stadium is harming Barcelona's chances of raising the tempo this evening. The home side have a half-chance as Gaztanaga fells Messi on the edge of the box, with the Argentine standing over the set piece.
CROSSBAR! Messi curls his effort towards the top corner, but it rattles against the crossbar before Sociedad clear the danger. The Argentine has looked the most likely for the home side this evening.
The opening 41 minutes of this match has flown past, but still we wait for the first goal of the evening. Barcelona again threaten down the left as Sanchez cuts inside before drilling a low cross into the box, but Jose Angel is on hand to clear the danger at the vital moment.
Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come at the San Sebastian next week. The winner of the tie will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the final, with Los Blancos holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sociedad to take the lead as Vela drives into the Barcelona box before attempting to slide his effort into the bottom corner, but Pinto makes a fine save. Vela wanted a penalty with Mascherano leaning all over the attacker.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Sociedad (Busquets)
Sociedad might have had a penalty less than one minute ago, but now Barcelona lead. It is a relatively simple finish for Busquets, who slides his effort home from close range.
RED CARD! Inigo Martinez (Sociedad)
Oh my word. Sociedad have been reduced to 10 men here for something that Inigo Martinez said to the referee. What an incredible end to this half. Crazy couple of minutes at the Camp Nou.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona leading 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Busquets in the latter stages of the half. In a crazy end to the first period, Sociedad were also reduced to 10 men with Inigo Martinez handed his marching orders for something that the centre-back said to the referee.
STATISTICS: Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 85%, while they have had 14 attempts - four of which have been on target - to Sociedad's two. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee issuing two yellow cards in addition to dismissing Inigo Martinez.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking players on their bench this evening in the shape of Iniesta, Tello and Roberto. Meanwhile, Sociedad have the likes of Seferovic, Prieto, Pardo and new signing Sergio Canales in reserve. However, the away side have already made one change with Carlos Martinez replacing Mikel Gonzalez in the early stages.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Sociedad were frustrating Barcelona for long periods of the first half, but that has now changed. Can the away side respond? The Catalan outfit get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
Penalty or no penalty? Vela was certainly pulled to the ground by Mascherano inside the box...
La jugada de #LaPolemica del penalti de Mascherano a Vela: pic.twitter.com/keKHQH3DJT
— MARCA (@marca) February 5, 2014
No changes for either side at the interval despite Sociedad losing Inigo Martinez to a red card late in the first period. You get the feeling that it will be damage limitation for Sociedad in the second half. As expected, the home side have taken control of the ball in the second 45 minutes. An early goal for Barcelona would be a big blow for the visitors.
Barcelona continue to force the issue in the second half as Fabregas looks for the run of Sanchez, but the Chilean had just moved into an offside position. Not too much from Sociedad since the interval with Vela isolated in the final third. You just get the feeling that Sociedad need to score an away goal this evening to stand a chance of making the final.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Barcelona continue to dominate possession of the ball. It appears only a matter of time before Barca score a second here with Sociedad unable to keep the ball. However, the home side have been sloppy in the final third.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Pedro finds some space outside the box before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but Zubikarai is on hand to make a fine save. The resulting corner is delivered towards the far post, but Ansotegi clears the danger, before Fabregas strikes one into traffic just outside the Sociedad box.
More frustration for Messi as the Argentine is adjudged to have felled Sociedad goalkeeper Zubikarai when challenging the stopper. Sociedad manage to secure some respite moments later as Alba fells Zaldua, but the resulting free kick comes to nothing. Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining at the Camp Nou.
A 1-0 defeat would not be the worst result for Sociedad under the circumstances ahead of the second leg, but anything more would make it difficult for the Basque outfit to recover. Flow after flow of pressure continues from the home side as Alves drives a low cross into the box, but Carlos Martinez manages to clear at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Just about the best chance of the second period for Barcelona as Pedro meets a cross from Alves, but the Spaniard's header is wide of the post. We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about changes.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Sociedad (Zubikarai OG)
Wow. What a strange goal! Barcelona have their second of the evening as Elustondo fires one into the back of his own goalkeeper after Sanchez had hit the post. Terrible from the Spanish midfielder.
As if it was not hard enough for Sociedad this evening. They have had a man sent off and scored an own goal. In truth, the tie would be all but over at 2-0 and it is threatening to get a lot worse. Little over 25 minutes of this contest remaining.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges. Sociedad have the chance to deliver a long ball into the home side's box, but Pique is on hand to clear under pressure from Vela, who has struggled in this half.
Half-chance for Barcelona to score their third as Xavi finds some space on the edge of the box, but the Sociedad stopper manages to push it wide of the post. The pressure continues down the right with Sanchez, but the Chilean loses possession before fouling Angel. Little over 20 minutes of the first leg remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score their third as Sanchez finds Pedro inside the box, but the Spaniard can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. It must be said that it is a surprise that neither manager has looked to their bench in the second period.
Barcelona want a penalty as Alba drills a cross into the body of Carlos Martinez, but the referee is not interested. Sanchez forces the issue moments later with a low cross towards Messi, but Carlos Martinez clears once more. Little under 20 minutes of this Copa del Rey contest remaining.
Sociedad make their first change of the match and it is a debut for Canales, who recently joined from Valencia. The midfielder replaces Vela, who has struggled for service in the second half. Moments later, Messi is awarded a yellow card for a late challenge on Zurutuza.
Barcelona make their first change of the match as Iniesta replaces Sanchez. One goal could turn this tie there is no question about that. An away strike for Sociedad would have them a big chance in the second leg, but a third for Barcelona would surely all but end the contest.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score their third as Fabregas lofts a cross into the box towards Alves - the Brazilian makes contact, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. It remains 2-0 with 79 minutes on the clock at the Camp Nou.
Good spell for Sociedad in the last couple of moments with the away side enjoying plenty of the ball outside the Barcelona box, but the move breaks down when Griezmann attempts to find Canales. Barcelona break down the other end with Messi moments later, but once more the danger is cleared.
Half-chance for Pedro to score Barcelona's third as the Spaniard breaks into the box, but Elustondo is across to clear at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Surely 3-0 Barcelona would end the tie ahead of the second leg next week.
Sociedad make their third and final change of the match as Griezmann is replaced by Seferovic. The away side manage to exert some pressure as Angel whips a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Pinto comes to collect before releasing Iniesta down the other end.
CHANCE! Messi comes close to scoring Barcelona's third as the Argentine produces a powerful volley from close range, but Zubikarai is on hand to make a fine save. Moments later, Pedro fires high and wide of the crossbar. The resulting stoppage brings another change as Tello enters the field in place of Fabregas.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Sociedad clearing their lines on each occasion. Barcelona do force a free kick from Zaldua moments later, but the resulting set piece from Messi comes to nothing. Still 2-0 as we enter the final minute at the Camp Nou.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Barcelona continue to threaten with a series of crosses into the box, but the latest delivery from Alba is high of the crossbar.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. Barcelona will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg against Sociedad next week. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us this weekend for more Spanish football. Until then!
