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Abidal grabs winner for Barca against Real
France fullback gives the 2011 runners-up the advantage for next week's second leg in Barcelona.
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2012 23:32
Barcelona's Eric Abidal celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid in a King's Cup quarter-final first leg [REUTERS]

Eric Abidal stunned the Bernabeu with a rare but superbly-taken goal to give Barcelona a 2-1 comeback win against holders Real Madrid in a King's Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

The France fullback, who extended his contract with the Spanish and European champions on Monday, galloped on to a floated Lionel Messi pass and calmly slotted past Iker Casillas on 77 minutes to give the 2011 runners-up the advantage for next week's second leg in Barcelona.

Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo had put the home side ahead with a breakaway goal in the 11th minute before Barca captain Carles Puyol flung himself at Xavi's corner to power a header past Spain team mate Casillas for a 49th-minute equaliser.

In the fourth of a possible eight meetings between the arch rivals this season, Barca followed up last month's 3-1 La Liga win, when they also fell a goal behind, with another victory to add to their success over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup.
Source:
Reuters
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