Published on 12:00 AM, January 19, 2018

Misfiring Messi costs Barcelona

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi (L) is left to wonder what went wrong after missing a penalty against Espanyol during their Copa del Rey match on Wednesday. The miss proved costly as Espanyol found a late winner in the 88th minute. Photo: REUTERS
Afp, Madrid

Lionel Messi missed a penalty as Espanyol struck in the dying moments to consign Barcelona to their first defeat of the season, 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Oscar Melendo slotted home a neat finish with two minutes remaining of a temperamental derby cup tie, racing onto Marc Navarro's low cross to punish Messi for missing a 62nd-minute penalty and send the home crowd into raptures.

In a match of few chances Barca's penalty, which came after a foul on Sergi Roberto, looked to be the decisive moment for the away side, but Espanyol keeper Diego Lopez dived superbly to his left to push Messi's powerful shot wide.

Navarro set up the winner on the 88th minute, giving Espanyol their first win over Barcelona in nearly nine years.

Diego Costa's third goal in four matches wasn't enough for Atletico Madrid as Sevilla twice scored late to stun their hosts 2-1 in the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Valencia came close to being shocked at the Mestalla by Alaves but Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo scored in nine second-half minutes to overturn Ruben Sobrino's 66th-minute opener for the away side.

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