Spanish Cup: Valencia and Barca gain advantage

Barcelona came from behind to beat holders Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of an increasingly bad-tempered Spanish Cup quarter-final in the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Second half goals from veteran defenders Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal overturned a half-time Madrid lead for whom Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo scored.

It was the third victory in twelve months for the Catalans in the stadium of their biggest rival.

Valencia crushed Levante 4-1 in their Spanish Cup quarter-final first leg tie on Thursday thanks mainly to their South American imports.

Brazilian Jonas scored after 24 minutes with Argentines Pablo Piatti, in the 45th minute, and Tino Costa, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, piling on the misery for Levante.

Spanish international striker Roberto Soldado was also on the score sheet in the 31st minute.

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