Barça beaten but Sevilla smiling
Friday, January 9, 2004
Article summary
FC Barcelona lost 1-0 at Levante UD while Sevilla FC came from behind to beat Villarreal CF in the Spanish Cup.
Article body
FC Barcelona lost 1-0 at Segunda División leaders Levante UD in their Copa del Rey third round first-leg tie on Thursday night.
Confident Levante
Frank Rijkaard's struggling side conceded a penalty after just eight minutes which Alberto Rivera converted. Thereafter, Levante played with plenty of confidence and their lead was rarely threatened, although Rafael Márquez did hit the woodwork for Barça on 70 minutes.
Sevilla comeback
In the night's other game, Sevilla FC went behind after 13 minutes to a Juliano Belletti strike but came back to win 3-1 at Villarreal CF. Júlio Baptista chipped Sevilla level three minutes after the break and Brazilian Daniel Alves put them ahead in the 54th minute. Baptista wrapped up the game in the 73rd minute with his second goal of the night.
Red cards
Both teams had a player sent off late on, with Francisco Casquero of Sevilla and Fabricio Coloccini of Villarreal receiving their marching orders.
