Battling Real leave Cup tie poised

Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 1

Both sides had plenty chances during an enthralling first half but the opener did not arrive until five minutes into the second period when Cesc Fabregas latched onto Lionel Messi’s through ball to fire past Diego Lopez.

After the break Dani Alves made a heroic last-ditch tackle to prevent Benzema and the Frenchman was first to threaten after the break as he cut inside and bent a shot just over, but it was Barcelona who found the net moments later.

However, their failure to kill the game off came back to bite them late on when Ozil swung in a cross from the right and the game’s outstding player — Varane, powered a header low into the bottom corner.

It was no less than the La Liga champions deserved and it leaves the tie delicately poised for the return leg.