Barcelona hold a 1-0 half-time lead over Real Sociedad in their Copa del Rey encounter this evening, thanks to a strike from Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi.

Barca threatened in the opening stages as Dani Alvez made his way down the right flank before turning in a dangerous cross, which somehow evaded everyone in the box.

Cesc Fabregas thought he was in for a goal in the 14th minute as he looked to get onto a cross from Andreas Iniesta, but the Sociedad defence got across to intercept the danger.

Barca took the lead in the 29th minute as Messi moved unmarked towards goal, before hammering his finish into the net despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

The hosts almost pulled level before the break, but Pinto did well to deny Carlos Vela who broke through on goal having beaten Alvez for pace.