Malcom leaves Copa clasico on knife edge

BARCELONA winger Malcom’s second-half strike secured a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid to leave the Copa del Rey semi-final evenly poised after the first leg.

The Brazilian winger, who started in place of Lionel Messi, curled home in the 58th minute to pull Barcelona level after Lucas Vazquez sent Real Madrid ahead early on.

Vazquez struck after just six minutes to silence the Nou Camp at the end of a slick team move. Malcom eventually found the equaliser when Luis Suarez’s shot rebounded to him off the post. Messi appeared for the final half hour but couldn’t find the winner.