• Real Madrid's Gareth Bale in action with Barcelona's Nelson Semedo and Arthur during Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Camp Nou. The match finished 1-1. The return leg takes place a the Bernabue on February 27. Reuters
    Real Madrid's Gareth Bale in action with Barcelona's Nelson Semedo and Arthur during Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Camp Nou. The match finished 1-1. The return leg takes place a the Bernabue on February 27. Reuters
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, centre left, and and Vinicius Junior in action. EPA
    Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, centre left, and and Vinicius Junior in action. EPA
  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, chases Real Madrid goalscorer Lucas Vazquez. AFP
    Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, chases Real Madrid goalscorer Lucas Vazquez. AFP
  • Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. EPA
    Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. EPA
  • Barcelona's Brazilian midfielder Malcom, left, scores against Real Madrid'. AFP
    Barcelona's Brazilian midfielder Malcom, left, scores against Real Madrid'. AFP
  • Barcelona goalscorer Malcom celebrates. AFP
    Barcelona goalscorer Malcom celebrates. AFP
  • Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior takes on Barcelona's Gerard Pique. EPA
    Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior takes on Barcelona's Gerard Pique. EPA
  • Barcelona's Malcom reacts after being fouled. EPA
    Barcelona's Malcom reacts after being fouled. EPA
  • Lionel Messi was introduced as a second-half substitute. EPA
    Lionel Messi was introduced as a second-half substitute. EPA
  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos after the match. Reuters
    Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos after the match. Reuters

Keylor Navas: Real Madrid have to make away goal count in second leg of Copa del Rey clasico


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COPA DEL REY

Semi-final, first leg

Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')

Second leg, February 27

Keylor Navas hopes Real Madrid can make their away goal count to finish off Barcelona at the Bernabeu and reach the Copa del Rey final.

Madrid hold a slender advantage after they secured a 1-1 draw in the opening leg of their semi-final clash at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

Lucas Vazquez put Real in front after just six minutes before Malcom rescued the hosts with his second-half equaliser.

Barcelona are bidding to win the competition for a fifth consecutive season, but goalkeeper Navas hopes Real can stop their run of domination when the two sides meet again on February 27.

"We knew we had to score and hopefully we can make the away goal count because we want to be in that final," he told Real Madrid TV.

"Both sides created chances and we both enjoyed spells on top."

Ahead of the return match, Navas added: "We expect a tough game. You can't think it is going to be a walk in the park because both clubs want to be in that final.

"So we have to try and do things better than they do to book our place there."

Lionel Messi was introduced to the last-four match only as a second-half substitute after Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde started him on the bench.

The Argentine was nursing a minor leg injury sustained in the 2-2 La Liga draw against Valencia last weekend.

"Leo is fine," Valverde is quoted as saying by Marca. "We prefer not to take risks at this time of the season.

"He had some discomfort and we decided it was for the best."

Malcom, who deputised for Messi, impressed for the home side, netting Barcelona's equaliser after 57 minutes.

But Valverde's side must now score at least one goal at the Bernabeu to reach the final.

"We have to score, so the tie is open," he added.

COPA DEL REY

Semi-final, first leg

Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')

Second leg, February 27