Barca beat Madrid in Copa del Rey semi-final first leg

Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Barcelona in their Copa del Rey semi-final first match on Thursday, according to Thibaut Courtois.

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Eder Militao scored an own goal in the opening period.

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The ball rebounded off the defense and into the net after goalie Courtois had stopped a shot from Franck Kessie.

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That was sufficient to give Barcelona the victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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And the next match has scheduled for April 5 at Camp Nou.

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"It was hard for us to create chances. It's difficult, we played a good game, we were in control, but we didn't get the chances. They defended well." Courtois told TVE after the match.

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Barcelona wants to win both the domestic league and Cup.

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And Madrid wants to cut into Barcelona's seven-point advantage atop LaLiga and win the Copa semifinal.

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Despite lacking a chance on goal of their own, Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Madrid, was pleased with his team's effort.

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Prior to their Champions League round of 16 second leg match with Liverpool at the Stadium,

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Madrid travels to Real Betis in LaLiga on Sunday and hosts Espanyol the following weekend.

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