The first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final between Levante and Barcelona took place in Valencia on Wednesday evening.
The home side led at the interval courtesy of a close-range finish from Nabil El Zhar.
Barcelona were level in the early stages of the second period when Juanfran scored an own goal, before Cristian Tello scored a hat-trick to make it 4-1 ahead of the second leg.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Copa del Rey quarter-final coverage continues this evening as Levante welcome Barcelona to Valencia for the first leg. The home side will enter the match full of confidence having held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw in the league just three days ago. They will be hopeful of producing a similar performance this evening.
Levante, who have overcome Recreativo Huelva and Rayo Vallecano to advance to this stage of the competition, currently sit in 11th position in the La Liga table having won six of their 20 matches. However, they have won just three from 10 on their own patch. What’s more, they have scored just 10 league goals in this stadium.
Barcelona, meanwhile, remain in top spot in La Liga despite drawing with Levante at the weekend. They were drawn against Cartagena in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey, but advanced 7-1 on aggregate before putting six past Getafe in the previous round. They were knocked out in the semi-finals last season by Real Madrid, but will be hopeful of going one better this time around.
TEAMS:
LEVANTE: Jimenez; Juanfran, Karabelas, Vyntra, Nagore; El Adoua, Pinto, Xumetra; El Zhar, Barral, Camarasa
BARCELONA: Pinto; Alves, Puyol, Bartra, Adriano; Song, Xavi, S. Roberto; Pedro, Messi, Tello
So there we have it. David Barral, Camarasa, Sergio Pinto and El Adoua all come into the Levante XI this evening. Meanwhile, Barcelona also make changes from the weekend with Tello, Roberto, Alves and Puyol among the starters. Right, the home side get the first period underway on this mild evening in Valencia. Let's hope for entertainment.
Just a reminder that the two sides met in the league at the weekend, with the score finishing 1-1. Levante have made seven changes to their XI this evening, while Barcelona have made eight. Messi does start and the Argentine is playing his 400th game for the Catalan outfit.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Levante to take the lead as Xumetra beats the offside trap before advancing into the Barcelona box, but he just hesitates at the vital moment and can only curl his effort wide of the post.
Hardly time to take a breath in the opening five minutes with both teams forcing the issue in the final third. Barral wants a free kick outside the Barcelona box after being caught between Puyol and Bartra, but the referee is not interested. Moments later, Tello just moves offside following a fine piece of work from Xavi.
Levante continue to threaten on the break as Nagore takes possession from Messi before finding Camarasa, but the Spaniard's low cross is cleared by Pique, before Barcelona break immediately down the other end.
POST! Barcelona's first chance falls to Pedro as the Spaniard collects possession outside the box, but his effort strikes the foot of the post. What a start to this Copa del Rey clash.
Another half-chance for Barca as Tello's low cross is met by Vyntra, who almost turns into his own net. However, the Greek does manage to force it behind for a corner. Messi goes down inside the area moments later, but the referee is not interested. Incredible 10 minutes of football in Valencia, but still goalless.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but both sides continue to force the issue in the final third. I have not seen a team attack Barcelona in this manner for some time. More frustration for the away side as a couple more offside calls go against them.
It's good work from Tello down the left as he drops his shoulder before driving past Nagore, but the Spaniard fells the winger and picks up a yellow card for his troubles. The resulting set piece is delivered by Xavi, but Pinto is on hand to clear the danger. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock in this Copa del Rey clash.
Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the last few moments with the likes of Xavi and Song seeing more of the ball, but Levante remain a threat on the counter with their pace and movement. Messi dances into the area moments later, but Vyntra is across to clear.
The away side continue to threaten with a series of crosses into the Levante box, but the home side have been equal to the danger thus far. You just get the feeling that Levante need to take something into the second leg at the Camp Nou next week. It has been an even 20 minutes of football with chances at both ends.
More frustration for the away side as another attack comes to an end due to an offside call. There has been a number of them in the opening 22 minutes. The attacking pressure from Levante has dried up, however, with Barral struggling to keep hold of the ball in the final third. Still goalless in this Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with a number of late challenges from both sides. It has been an untidy match in that context.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Messi finds the run of Adriano inside the box, but the left-back can only lift his effort over the crossbar. The chances are starting to arrive for Barcelona as the later challenges continue.
Opportunity for Levante to threaten from a free kick as Bartra handles outside the box, with the Barca centre-back gaining a yellow card. The resulting set piece is taken by El Zhar, but his effort is straight into the wall. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Valencia.
According to reports on Twitter, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is in the crowd this evening on a scouting mission. It is understood that Barcelona's Roberto and Tello are in his sights. Both have been bright in the opening 30 minutes. Bartra finds himself in the Levante box moments later, but Jimenez is across to claim.
Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come at the Camp Nou next week. Levante held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw in the league at the weekend and they have matched the champions thus far. Another free kick is delivered by Adoua moments later, but Puyol clears the danger.
GOAL! Levante 1-0 Barcelona (El Zhar)
Levante take the lead just past the 30-minute mark as El Zhar latches onto a loose ball inside the box before converting at the second time of asking. First blood to the home side!
More work for Barcelona to do in Valencia that is for certain. You cannot argue that Levante have not deserved it. Once more, Barcelona look slightly untidy in the final third. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides forcing the issue in the final third. Messi is again challenged at the final moment by Juanfran, before El Zhar curls one over the bar down the other end. You cannot take your eyes off this one at the moment. It has been a pulsating 36 minutes.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Tello finds some space inside the box before attempting to strike towards goal, but Nagore is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Barca continue to pass and probe outside the box before Messi strikes towards goal, but his effort moves wide of the post.
Plenty of possession football from Barcelona at the moment, but they are lacking a cutting edge in the final third. It is difficult not to be impressed with the tactics of the home side, who continue to squeeze the space in the final third. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining in Valencia.
Barcelona continue to dominate the possession in the Levante half, but the home side remain tight and compact in defence. Messi takes matters into his own hands moments later with a through pass towards Alves, but Nagore is across to clear at the vital moment. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining.
HALF-TIME: Levante 1-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Levante leading 1-0 courtesy of a close-range finish from El Zhar. Barcelona have dominated the possession, but have too often lacked the pass in the final third. It has been a pulsating opening 45 minutes.
STATISTICS: Barcelona have dominated the possession with 77%, but they have had just four attempts - none of which have been on target - to Levante's six. There is no question that the home side are worth their one-goal lead at this stage of proceedings.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Angel, Pedro Lopez and Pedro Rios. Meanwhile, Barcelona have the likes of Fabregas, Sanchez, Jordi Alba and young striker Dongou in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come in Barcelona next week. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect changes could be made if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so. As expected, Barca have taken control of the possession in the opening stages of the second half.
Half-chance for Messi as the Argentine meets a cross from Pedro, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. There was some questionable marking from the home side during that attack. You just get the feeling that Levante need another goal ahead of the second leg next week.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Xavi finds Alves in the box with a fine pass, but the Brazilian's low cross is deflected behind for a corner. Puyol has a heading opportunity from the resulting set piece, but his effort is wide of the post. Good spell for the away side in the early stages of the second period.
Levante have just managed to stem the flow of pressure in the last couple of moments, but they have not really threatened since the first period. Even at 1-0, Barcelona would be the firm favourites to advance from the second leg next week. Another goal for Levante and this stadium would explode. Still 1-0 with 53 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Levante 1-1 Barcelona (Juanfran OG)
Oh my word. Horrific moment for the home side as Vyntra attempts to clear following a loose parry from his goalkeeper, but he smashes it straight at Juanfran and it nestles in the bottom corner.
That is so cruel on the home side, but that is football at this level. Suddenly everyone in a Barcelona shirt wants possession as the second period continues to gather pace. Little under 35 minutes of this Copa del Rey quarter-final remaining.
Barcelona make their first change of the match as Puyol is replaced by Mascherano, which is not much of a surprise. Another half-chance for the away side as Alves strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Half-chance for Levante this time as Barral finds some space outside the box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide of the post. Wonderful Copa del Rey tie between these two teams with 61 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Levante 1-2 Barcelona (Tello)
Barcelona take the lead on the night as Messi slides a wonderful pass for Tello, who touches inside before firing his effort into the top corner. Brilliant from the champions.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score their third as Alves finds Messi inside the box, but his low effort is saved by Jimenez. Levante make their first change moments later as Rios replaces Xumetra.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Barcelona continue to dominate possession of the ball. It has been an impressive response from the Catalan outfit. Levante, however, have hardly featured in the second period. They need a spell of possession here.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the away side as Xavi flicks an effort towards the goal from close range, but Jimenez is on hand to make a fine save. Little over 20 minutes of this Copa del Rey contest remaining.
Levante just cannot get the ball at the moment as the pressure continues from Barcelona. In truth, another goal for the away side might just put this tie beyond Levante ahead of the second leg. El Zhar has a sight of goal after smart footwork outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Alves at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Messi to make it 3-1 as the Argentine dances into the box before facing up to Jimenez, but Vyntra is across to clear at the vital moment. Moments later, Angel replaces Barral for the home side.
The chances continue to fall for Barcelona as Song finds Pedro with a floated pass beyond the Levante defence. The Spanish international takes control before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Nagore is across to clear at the vital moment. It remains 2-1 with little over 15 minutes of this first leg remaining.
Levante continue to tire as Barcelona pass and probe in the final third. The home side have run out of legs and it is no surprise to be honest. Levante just have not been in this second period. Just a reminder that the second leg will take place at the Camp Nou next week.
Messi again comes close to opening his tally for the evening as he strikes one from the edge of the box, but Juanfran is on hand to block. Moments later, Barcelona look to their bench with Sanchez replacing Pedro. Little over 10 minutes remaining. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Levante also look to their bench with El Zhar departing the field for Nong, who will provide pace and movement in the final third. It is almost like a training match at the moment as the away side continue to utterly dominate proceedings.
GOAL! Levante 1-3 Barcelona (Tello)
Barcelona have their third as Messi finds some space outside the box before sliding in Tello, who finishes from close range. Tie over?
Levante continue to chase shadows as we approach the final five minutes of this Copa del Rey contest. The one-touch play from Barcelona has been fantastic in the second period. A goal for Messi would wrap this up nicely.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Tello to score his third as he drops his shoulder on the edge of the box before striking one towards the top corner, but Jimenez is on hand to make a fine save. The resulting corner is delivered towards Song, but Nong is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
Another half-chance for Messi just outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The Argentine has been wonderful in the second period. Just a reminder that the second leg will take place at the Camp Nou next week. Can Levante turn it around? It will be extremely difficult from this situation.
GOAL! Levante 1-4 Barcelona (Tello)
Third assist for Messi and third goal for Tello. Another wonderful take and smart finish from the Spanish winger. That is his first hat-trick for Barcelona.
Well, that is game and tie over. Levante are not turning this around next week that is for certain. The home supporters have started to make their way toward the exits as we approach the final minute.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. Not too much to report in terms of chances with Barcelona in utter control of the possession.
FULL-TIME: Levante 1-4 Barcelona
So there we have it. Tello scores three times as Barcelona record a 4-1 win over Levante in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
