Ronald Araujo locks down Real Madrid! Winners & losers as Barcelona defender frustrates rivals in Copa del Rey first-leg away win

An excellent defensive performance and an own goal from Eder Militao gave Barcelona a 1-0 first-leg win in Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final.

This contest was always going to come down to the battle between in-form defender Ronald Araujo and devastating attacker Vincius Junior. Araujo won it. Decisively. His terrific showing kept the Brazilian quiet, nullifying Real Madrid’s main attacking threat in a sublime rear-guard effort.

Barcelona were opportunistic enough at the other end, nicking a goal to take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.

They opened the scoring despite waves of Madrid pressure. Really, it was a gift to Xavi from Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Eduardo Camavinga gave the ball away far too easily in midfield, allowing Franck Kessie to run through on goal. His shot ricocheted off Eder Militao and into the back of the net.

The Blaugrana steadily asserted their authority on the match after, and cruised into half-time with a steady 1-0 lead.

And it was all fairly simple from there, with Real Madrid never finding the extra gear they used to turn Liverpool to record-breaking losers at Anfield.

Barcelona were without Pedri, Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele, but with a defence that has conceded the fewest goals in Europe, it didn’t matter.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Santiago Bernabeu…

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