Barça run ended in Copa del Rey coup

FC Barcelona saw their 18-game unbeaten run halted in some style as Diego Milito and Ewerthon each scored twice as Real Zaragoza defeated the league leaders 4-2 in their Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg at La Romareda.

Zaragoza rise
Nine places currently separate the sides in the Primera División, but Zaragoza's position belies their form, which has seen them storm well clear of the relegation zone in just a month-and-a-half. Barça are not in bad shape either, after winning every game they have played since mid-October, but they were brought crashing back to earth in an astonishing opening half hour that saw the home team race into a 3-0 lead.

Barça comeback
Argentinian striker Milito broke the deadlock midway through the half and within just four minutes Brazilian strike-partner Ewerthon had made it 3-0 to leave Barça reeling. Henrik Larsson reduced the deficit before half-time, and Ronaldinho paved the way for a possible comeback when he further reduced the deficit from the penalty spot just after the hour mark.

Positive omen
But an equaliser proved elusive for Frank Rijkaard's team, who were without the rested Carles Puyol for the first time in 36 outings, and Milito sent the Romareda crowd into delirium when he restored his side's two-goal cushion in added time. A one-goal defeat will now suffice for Zaragoza in the second leg at Camp Nou.