Real Madrid's inconsistent performances this season continued, as the Spanish champions went down 2-1 to Celta Vigo in their first leg pre-quarterfinal match of the Copa Del Rey, while Lionel Messi added another two goals to his record as Barca recorded a hard fought win over Cordoba.
Real have been far from convincing this year - they lie 11 points behind Barca in the La Liga, and only managed a second place in their Champions League group. Now, following those performances, Jose Mourinho's side needed an 87th minute strike from Cristiano Ronaldo to ensure they left Celta Vigo with at least a goal.
Bermejo and Cristian Bustos scored two goals in the 56th and 78th minutes respectively to give Celta a dream and deserved 2-0 lead, before Real, who put out a strong team, cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 87th minute thanks to Ronaldo.
Real will now head to the second leg, knowing they need a win, and while they will be favorites to go through despite the defeat, the pressure would have mounted on Mourinho after another underwhelming result.
In the day's other big game, Messi came to Barca's rescue yet again, scoring the game's only goals in a 2-0 win at Cordoba.
Messi, with the two strikes, took his goal tally for the calendar year to a stunning 88. The Little Magician had already broken Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals, by scoring a brace in Barcelona's win over Real Betis in the La Liga Sunday.
The first goal, which came in the 11th minute, was a tap in, with David Villa squaring the ball for Messi, who had the simplest of tasks.
Barcelona then pressed and probed, but could not quite unlock the Cordoba defense, needing to wait until the 74th minute to make the game safe. Messi ghosted in at the far post to slot home a cross from substitute Alexis Sanchez to make it 2-0 and give Barca a comfortable advantage going into the second leg.
Results (Pre-quarterfinals, first leg): Osasuna 0-2 Valencia; Cordoba 0-2 Barcelona; Mallorca 0-5 Sevilla; Celta Vigao 2-1 Real Madrid; Atletico Madrid 3-0 Getafe.
