Semi finals, first leg

Barcelona 1 - Valencia 1

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Toure Yaya, Deco (Iniesta 69'); Messi, Eto'o, Henry (Bojan 69'). 4-3-3.
Valencia: Hildebrand; Caneira, Raúl Albiol, Iván Helguera, Moretti; Maduro, Banega (Baraja 69'), David Silva; Joaquín (Arizmendi 63'), David Villa, Mata (Vicente 80'). 4-3-3.

Goals:
0-1. 70. David Villa. Got on end of Arizmendi cross to turn ball in on near post.
1-1. 93. Xavi. Drove ball back into net after Hildebrand blocked Eto'o shot.

A last second goal from Xavi saved a 1-1 draw for Barcelona against Valencia in the opening match of the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup. Although Frank Rijkaard's side were on top for much of the ninety minutes, they could not break down a well ordered defence. They should have taken an early lead when shots from Xavi, Eto'o and Messi in quick succession being blocked by Hildebrand and his defence. But Joaquín had a back-heel goal disallowed at the other end soon afterwards, not clear whether Iturralde González ruled it out for hands or offside.

Henry and Abidal both tested Hildebrand with long shots before the break, and the keeper saved from Messi and Eto'o after the restart. With twenty minutes to go though the Chés took the lead when David Villa got on the end of Arizmendi's cross to beat Valdés.

The visiting keeper had his work cut out to stop efforts from Messi, Milito and Touré after that, but just when it looked as if Barcelona had been beaten, Xavi drove the ball through a crowded goalmouth into the bottom far corner of the net. The Valencia players protested to the referee that Eto'o had handled the ball in the build up, but he waved them away. Barça had a lifeline, and everything will now be decided in the Mestalla stadium in three weeks' time.

Getafe 3 - Racing Santander 1

Getafe: Ustari; Contra, Belenguer (Tena 76'), Cata Díaz, Licht; Pablo Hernández, Casquero (Celestini 78'), De la Red, Granero; Manu del Moral, Uche (Albín 66'). 4-4-2.
Racing: Toño; Pinillos, Oriol, Garay, Luis Fernández; Jorge López, Duscher, Colsa, Oscar Serrano (Pablo Alvarez 69'); Smolarek, Tchité (Munitis 66'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 25. De la Red. Got above defence to head Granero corner inside far post.
1-1. 28. Smolarek. First time volley wide of Ustari from Jorge López free kick.
2-1. 57. Casquero. Ran on to Pablo Hernández pass and shot low past keeper.
3-1. 83. Manu. Drove ball back into net after first header pushed out by Toño.

Getafe are on track for a second cup final appearance in a row after a 3-1 victory over Racing Santander on Thursday evening. De la Red headed Michael Laudrup's side in front midway through the first half following a corner, but Smolarek turned in a Jorge López free kick to equalise for the Cantabrians just three minutes later.

This was Racing's first appearance in a cup semi-final in their history, and 4,000 fervent fans had made the journey to support them. And Tchité almost gave them more to shout about when he got free only to be closed down at the end. A few minutes later though Casquero restored the lead after Pablo Hernández set him up, and Manu del Moral made it three with seven minutes to go, firing the rebound past Toño after the keeper had parried his first header.