Barça held at Valencia, Marseille reach final

FC Barcelona and Valencia CF go into their Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg on level terms after sharing a 1-1 draw at Mestalla.

Though the Azulgrana rallied from a goal down when Carles Puyol sent a powerful header past Diego Alves on 35 minutes, the holders were left to rue a 56th-minute missed penalty by Lionel Messi that was awarded after Thiago Alcântara had been felled.

Diego Alves guessed correctly to deny the Argentina forward and Valencia, who took the lead when Jonas rifled a shot into the top corner after 27 minutes, held on for the draw. In the other semi-final Athletic Club lead third-tier side CD Mirandés 2-1.

In France, League Cup holders Olympique de Marseille ensured they will defend their trophy to the wire, on 14 April at Stade de France, after they overcame Provence-Cote d'Azur neighbours OGC Nice 2-1 in the semi-final at the Stade Vélodrome.

Loïc Rémy put the UEFA Champions League hopefuls in front with an angled drive on 17 minutes and, although Anthony Mounier equalised on the stroke of half-time, Brandão's half-volley settled the contest just before the hour. A tense game finished with ten players on each side as Marseille's Mathieu Valbuena and Nice's Franck Dja Djédjé were both dismissed. Marseille will take on Olympique Lyonnais in the final after they overcame FC Lorient on Tuesday.