Savio strike spares Zaragoza

A late equaliser from Brazilian forward Savio denied second division Deportivo Alavés a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Zaragoza tonight.

Well-worked equaliser
Leading as the match moved into added time, ten-man Alavés looked on course to earn a first-leg advantage. However, Savio pounced in the 91st minute, sliding in at the far post to turn in a clever pass from strike partner David Villa and leave the tie finely poised ahead of next week's second leg.

First-half lead
Alavés, who were in control for long periods against their top-flight opponents, had taken the lead midway through the first half. Edu Alonso's right-wing cross was met by striker Ivan Alonso, who headed back across goal for Croatian forward Jurica Vucko to put his side in front at the near post after 19 minutes.

Close-range miss
The home team continued to look the more likely scorers as the first half progressed, with Ivan Alonso volleying Pablo's pass against a post from close range on the half-hour. Gabriel Milito had the visitors' only real chance of the first period but glanced Savio's free-kick over the crossbar, while Cani was closed down quickly after finding himself in time and space inside the Alavés penalty area soon after the restart.

Turiel dismissed
The turning point arrived 14 minutes from time. Alavés midfield player Jesús Ángel Turiel was shown the red card having collected a second booking and the numerical advantage allowed relegation-threatened Zaragoza – who lie in 18th place in the Primera División - to scramble an equaliser in one of their few attacks.

Madrid take control
Real Madrid CF will take a two-goal lead into the second leg of their semi-final with Sevilla FC as second-half goals from Santiago Solari and Raúl González earned Carlos Queiroz's team a 2-0 win in the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night.