'See you again on 2nd leg' - Fans overjoyed as Barcelona beat Real Madrid in Copa del Rey semi-final first leg

Barcelona vs Real Madrid (Image credit: Twitter)

Barcelona bounced back from a back-to-back losing streak by beating Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Barcelona in the 2023 El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu after Eder Militao's own goal in the first half. The hosts had more possession and chances but unfortunately had to lose in the first leg of the semi-final on March 2. The two will play a second leg next month, with the winner advancing to the championship match.

Barcelona took the lead in the 27th minute to claim a narrow victory over their arch-rivals and Xavi's side will welcome the result after defeats to Manchester United in the Europa League and Almeria in La Liga. Barca were without Pedri, Ousmane Dembele, and talisman Robert Lewandowski, but their disciplined play saw them through to the second leg at the Nou Camp on April 5.

Sergio Busquets surpassed Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos

Barcelona's Sergio Busquets surpassed Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos in the El Clasico record book yesterday against Real Madrid. Busquets made his 46th El Clasico appearance as Barca won 1-0 at the Bernabeu. The record was held by Messi and Ramos, who played 45 games each but are now unlikely to extend that number unless they make a surprise return to La Liga.

🚨 Sergio Busquets surpasses Leo Messi and Sergio Ramos to become the player with the most #ElClásico appearances in history! Congratulations, Sergio! pic.twitter.com/EXFgbgtCZu

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 2, 2023

The Argentina superstar left Barca to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a free transfer in 2021, with Ramos joining him in Paris that summer after running down his contract at Real Madrid. Busquets also holds the best record in El Clasicos among the three with 22 wins and eight draws. Messi has beaten Real Madrid 19 times and drawn 11 matches.

Before the second Copa del Rey game at Camp Nou on April 5, Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet once again on March 19 in La Liga, where Barca is presently seven points ahead of Madrid in second place. The final is in Sevilla on May 6. The winner will face either Osasuna or Athletic Bilbao, who won 1-0 in the second semifinal on Wednesday.

Here's how Twitter reacted to Barca's win: 

The best in the fucking world 🌍

— Salam Said (@salamsaid21) March 2, 2023

Good job! See you again on 2nd leg with Lewandowski, Pedri and Dembele

— Barça Senyera (@BarcaSenyera) March 2, 2023

if Barca B played with real Madrid they will beat them, real Madrid small club compared with FC Barcelona ❤️💙

— Ahmed Zayed (@Ahmed_Zayed14) March 2, 2023

pic.twitter.com/IM0yJeQwfM

— Yasar (@__YY1907) March 2, 2023

Barcelona won the game because of an own goal lol Real Madrid played better

— Anderson 🇧🇷 (@andersoonx_) March 2, 2023

Imagine loosing to a team that was beat by Man Utd and almeria 💀 let’s all laugh Madrid 😭😂😂😂

— good takes (@wuris08) March 2, 2023

Don’t know how we won but we won 😂😂😂

— Wavi 🇲🇽 (@User2221112) March 2, 2023

Vamosss the calmness of the hopeless helped us

— Réka // Literally Nobody (@greekfountain) March 2, 2023

won the game bcz of own goal have some shame 🤣😭

— SAIFOOO 🇦🇫 (@Osamakh57278) March 2, 2023