Football: Madrid, Barca all-square in cup clash

French youngster Raphael Varane heads in a late goal as Real Madrid salvages a 1-1 draw against Barcelona

French youngster Raphael Varane headed in a late goal as Real Madrid salvaged a 1-1 draw against Barcelona in their Spanish Cup semi-final first-leg clash.

Cesc Fabregas had given Barca the lead at the Santiago Bernabeu in a game his side looked to be running away with until the leveller. Varane was Madrid’s star all evening, clearing off the line in the first-half and making countless other defensive interventions in an entertaining encounter. With the second-leg almost a month away, Madrid will be relieved to avoid defeat. “Varane had a great game, after saving us a few times he gets the equaliser, he is only 19 and this will be good for his progress with us,” said Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2013.