Madrid, Jan. 5 (IANS): Reigning King’s Cup holders FC Barcelona took a small step towards the defence of their title when they drew 1-1 away to Celta Vigo in the first leg of their last 16 round tie.
Barca coach Ernesto Valverde will have been pleased by the performance of B-team striker Jose Arnaiz, who scored the team’s goal in the 15th minute of the game on Thursday, reports Xinhua.
Pione Sisto equalised for Celta before half-time, but Barca could have won the game had Sergio Busquets’ long range shot not rebounded off the Celta crossbar.
Valverde, who rested Leo Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta, will nevertheless be content with the return of Ousmane Dembele who sustained a calf injury three months ago, but came on as a 72nd minute substitute.
Gareth Bale scored a penalty as Real Madrid won 3-0 away to second division side Numancia, who ended the game with 10 men after defender Pape Diamanka was sent off for a bad challenge on Nacho Fernandez with half an hour remaining in the game.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane gave time to players such as Marcos Llorente, Theo Hernandez and Dani Ceballos, but it wasn’t until Isco scored a second penalty in the last minute of the game that the result was secure and Borja Mayoral’s injury-time header assured the return leg will be little more than a formality.
