La Liga - Barcelona in command

Reuters - Wed, 28 Oct 23:23:00 2009

Pedro scored twice to give holders Barcelona a 2-0 lead over third-tier side Cultural Leonesa in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey.

COPA DEL REY EL jugador del Barcelona Pedro conduce el balón Foto: EFE - 0

Real Madrid's astonishing 4-0 defeat to another Segunda B team Alcorcon on Tuesday had raised expectations that Cultural might surprise Pep Guardiola's weakened Barca, but that was never really on the cards.

Bojan Krkic's snaking run helped set up Pedro for the opener after 41 minutes, and another product of the Barca youth system, forward Jeffren, curled in a cross that left Pedro free to volley the second just after the hour mark.

The second leg is at the Camp Nou in two weeks' time.

Earlier, three second division sides complicated the lives of their top-flight visitors by establishing first-leg advantages.

Rayo Vallecano beat last season's finalists Athletic Bilbao 2-0 with early goals from former Bilbao midfielder Nestor Susaeta and veteran striker Sergio Pachon.

Hercules came from behind to win 2-1 against Almeria and Celta Vigo overcame Tenerife by the same scoreline.

Joaquin earned 2008 winners Valencia a narrow 1-0 victory over Segunda B Alcoyano, and the 2007 and 2008 finalists Getafe beat La Liga rivals Espanyol 2-0 at home with goals from Juan Albin and Jaime Gavilan.

The last three first legs take place on Thursday.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 5 of 5

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  1. Visca el Barca........forget Madrid...........whats­ important to play as if everygame is the most important­ one.......thats the only way to win cups.

    From marilacson, on Wed 11 Nov 12:23AM

  2. @gorka, u so right!!! unfortunately for them, we aint­ got time for loooooooserrrssss!

    From adeyinka, on Thu 29 Oct 11:46AM

  3. Fantastic! fantastic!! fantastc!!!
    Case­ close.hahahahhahhahhahah

    From samimancourier, on Thu 29 Oct 7:41AM

  4. i'm sure all those madrid fan was hoping this 2nd­ string Barca lose.. sorry losers!

    From gorka, on Thu 29 Oct 6:55AM

  5. PEDRO!! A player who is a great asset to an already­ strong Barcelona team. He is humble, hard working, and­ is quite possibly the best player to come off of the­ bench and score big goals! Cheers to BARCA for their­ spectacular youth system.

    From Mike, on Thu 29 Oct 2:43AM
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