Barcelona vs Real Madrid result: Malcom rises from Lionel Messi’s shadow to leave Copa del Rey semi-final on tenterhooks

Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid: The out-of-favour Brazilian started in place of the injured Argentine and capped a stand out display with the second-half equaliser

Malcom starred when making just his sixth start of the season (AFP/Getty)

As the Camp Nou cried for Lionel Messi, it was shunned Brazilian Malcom who arose from the Argentine's vast shadow - starting in place of the injured talisman - and capped a standout performance by scoring Barcelona's equaliser to leave the Copa del Rey semi-final tie on tenterhooks at 1-1.

Madrid had taken the lead after just five minutes, capitalising on the Catalans’ lethargic start as 18-year-old Vinicius Jr – the symbol of Santiago Solari’s new era – sprinted into space behind Nelson Semedo, jigged, checked, and teed up Karim Benzema at the far post. After negating a Sergio Busquets challenge, the Frenchman cut the ball back to Lucas Vasquez, who side-footed into the roof of the net after just five minutes.

The goal set up a breathless first half as Barca looked to retaliate and Madrid coiled and waited to counter. Employing a high-press, with Benzema haranguing Barca’s centre-backs and midfield anchor Busquets, Madrid were the more organised, yet it was their weak link, Marcelo, returning in place of Sergio Reguilón, where Ernesto Valverde's side repeatedly found joy.

Starting just his sixth game of the season, Malcom enjoyed free-reign over his compatriot, repeatedly running beyond Marcelo with a shimmy of stepovers before attempting to set up Luis Suarez, who forced a full-stretch save from Navas. Moments later, in a mirror image, Malcom was scythed down on the corner of the box, with Ivan Rakitic’s header ricocheting off the bar from the resultant free-kick.

Yet, such was the nature of this glaringly open game - a portrait of attack and calamity of defence - that from the resulting breakaway Madrid almost scored themselves. Again it was Vinicius, revelling in his first clasico appearance, who shimmied beyond the last defender only to see his cutback race beyond Benzema and the empty net.

Vazquez opened the scoring for Real Madrid after just five minutes (Getty)

The two managers desperately attempted to restore tactical order to the game, causing a cagey opening five minutes to the second half, before a pair of innocuous yellow cards boiled the atmosphere once more as the game descended into an enthralling free-for-all.

The fans called for Lionel Messi in Mexican wave-like formula, causing the Argentine to tie his laces on the touchline, but before he could make his introduction, Barcelona found the breakthrough.

A deft ball over the top taken in stride by Jordi Alba, causing Navas to charge out. The Costa Rican leaped to block the ball, only to see it roll into the path of Suarez who's curled effort was cleared off the line by Ramos. At the third time of asking, though, it was Malcom who pounced on the loose ball and curled beyond the white shirts attempting to barricading the goal.

Messi came on for the last 30 minutes but couldn't score the decisive winner (Getty)

Then came Messi, lifting his teammates up like a hoist, the sheer gravity of his presence causing Madrid to reel on the back foot. The haywire game equalising into a constant rhythm of Barcelona attacks. But after the Argentine's free-kick clattered into the wall, Suarez's penalty appeal was waved away and substitute Carles Alena's shot was cut out by a last-gasp tackle, it was Gareth Bale who spurned the match's greatest opportunity.

Ter Stergen's casual clearance fell into the path of Benzema who teed-up Bale, but with the empty net at his mercy the Welshman cut onto his right foot and slipped to the floor, hesitating before lifting his head to meet the crowd's jeers.

The two teams receded into caution as stoppage time approached, Kroos almost picking out the bottom corner with a low drive, but for another brilliant last-gasp intervention from Gerard Pique.