Malaga grabs lifeline at Barcelona

Lionel Messi was on target again but Barcelona had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to 10-man Malaga in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.

Manuel Iturra capitalised on sloppy Barca defending to give the visitors a surprise lead after 25 minutes at the Nou Camp, before two goals in as many minutes saw the holders swiftly forge ahead.

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Messi, who picked up his fourth straight Ballon d'Or award earlier this month after netting a record 91 goals in 2012, equalised in the 28th minute thanks to an enterprising run down the right and a neat left-footed finish.

Captain Carles Puyol notched a second goal less than 90 seconds later, somehow twisting his neck enough to direct a looping header past Carlos Kameni.

However, Malaga refused to lie down and Ignacio Camacho's slick half-volley got them back on level terms a minute from time - despite having lost substitute Nacho Monreal to a 75th-minute red card for a shove in the back of Pedro Rodriguez.

Also on Wednesday night, Real Zaragoza and Sevilla battled out a goalless draw at La Romareda to ensure there will be all to play for in next week's second leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Real Madrid defeated Valencia 2-0 in the first leg of the first Copa quarterfinal at the Bernabeu last night, while Atletico Madrid and Real Betis kick off the fourth last-eight tie at the Vicente Calderon on Thursday.