Barcelona vs. Real Madrid Score: Late Madrid Heroics Fall Short at Camp Nou

The tale of two halves went to Barcelona, who came into the second leg of the Copa del Rey, with the better proportion of good will. 

Real Madrid was playing against locker room turmoil, a 2-1 aggregate deficit, and the Camp Nou crowd. So you can see how commendations should go out to Los Blancos for the 2-2 result they took away from Wednesday's epic match. 

The Barcelona and Real Madrid draw was all the Catalans needed to usurp their hated rivals and move on in the Copa del Rey. 

For Madrid, they will have to lick their wounds in the knowledge that they gave Barca, and the millions of their fans watching the proceedings, quite the scare. 

The first half belonged to Barca, largely due to last-second magic given by Lionel Messi and Dani Alves. 

In the 43rd minute, Messi sliced the Real Madrid defense in half with a run that only the best in football could create. A late pass to the left saw Pedro corral the pass and send home the game's first goal. 

The wonder goal of the game came moments later when a tenuous tackle by Lassana Diarra led to a free kick, and a ricochet that ended with Dani Alves' devastating goal. 

That is when Barcelona presumably drank copious amounts of NyQuil, or some other narcotic that leads to long periods of dozing. Real Madrid was on the attack in the second half, and Barcelona simply hunkered down and looked for cover. 

No matter your loyalty, you have to agree that this game was true to "El Classico" moniker. It had everything; controversy, hard hits, and emotional tumbles. 

Cristiano Ronaldo gave hope with his 68th minute goal that was taken from some footwork textbook. Then Benzema showed what a gentle touch on the ball could do when he sent the equalizer home in the 72nd minute. 

The momentum had changed loyalties and was now taking sides with Los Blancos, causing Jose Mourinho's hair to go a tad grayer.

Barcelona did just enough to squeak out the result they needed and Madrid fell short, but all that puts a damper on what was an amazing battle. 

The war of Spanish giants continued with Barca taking the upper hand, but Madrid was able to leave the pitch with their heads held high after a flurry of passionate plays in the second half. 

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