First to score, Barca; everything will be determined at Camp Nou

First to score, Barca; everything will be determined at Camp Nou.

Despite being outplayed by Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, Barca was still able to head to Camp Nou with the advantage. By an own goal by Militao in the opening period, the "Cules" prevailed.

Real Madrid  0-1 Barcelona         

The Catalan side came after two consecutive defeats and were without a trio of key players injured - top scorer Robert Lewandowski, key midfielder Pedri and explosive winger Ousmane Dembele. After being knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United last week and their first loss to tiny Almeria in La Liga, Madrid fans smelled blood, but walked away in bitter disappointment.
Militao owns a home goal in the 26th minute to split the two teams and put Barcelona ahead ahead of the second leg on April 5 at Camp Nou. Barcelona have arranged for Marcos Alonso to be without a centre-back, after Andreas Christensen was deemed fit enough to start from the bench.

Sergio Busquets had his 46th El Clasico, surpassing former Real Madrid and Barcelona greats Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi to set a new record. Despite Barcelona leading La Liga champions Madrid by seven points, recent results and performances have made 'Los Blancos' a strong candidate to win the first leg, at least according to words of Barca coach Xavi Hernandez.

Madrid have not lifted the trophy since 2014 and held Barca early, with a goal from Karim Benzema, but the goal was disallowed because the French striker was clearly offside. A handful of Madrid fans have protested outside the Santiago Bernabeu over Barca's involvement in the 'Negreira affair' - with the Catalan club paying a former referee for advice.

The temperature inside the stadium rose dramatically, when Vinicius Junior was warned midway through the first half for causing Frenkie de Jong to fall to the ground. Vinicius was lucky not to receive another yellow card as he vehemently protested to the referee, and Madrid could have been distracted by the controversy again later as Barcelona took the lead. The goal came in a game created by Ferran Torres, sending Frank Kessie wide of the post. Thibaut Courtois saved the Ivory Coast midfielder's low shot but the ball bounced off Militao and went into his net, while Nacho tried to save it but failed.
disappointed.

Madrid players and fans reacted furiously when Barcelona midfielder Gavi ran away during a collision with Militao, but the home side managed to create chances. Dani Carvajal volleyed over the bar as Barcelona continued to lead until the break, with fans whistling at officials as they made their way down the tunnel.

With coach Carlo Ancelotti's army unable to hit the target in front of a disappointing Barcelona, ​​perhaps some of the home fans' anger at the referee was misplaced.In the second half, Marc-Andre ter Stegen intercepted a pass from Vinicius that Madrid was unable to connect with Benzema.unable to affect the game because they are isolated.

Copa Barcelona record-holders should have doubled the lead in the 20th minute when Torres passed the ball back to Kessie, but his shot on target was saved by his teammate, Ansu Fati. Rodrygo unleashed a long shot for Madrid in the late game when they were unable to test Ter Stegen, despite Barcelona's shortcomings.