A goal in each half from Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez gave FC Barcelona a straightforward 2-0 win Thursday at home over Mallorca in the first leg of the Kings Cup semifinals.
Although there is a return leg in Mallorca's Son Moix stadium early next month, on Thurday's showing, it is hard to see Gregorio Manzano's side scoring the three goals that they need to go through.
Barcelona rested key players such as Xavi Hernandez and Samuel Eto'o, but was always in control and had it not been from an excellent display from Mallorca goalkeeper German Lux, the winning margin would have been far greater.
Lux produced two fine saves to frustrate youngster Bojan Krkic in the first 15 minutes of the encounter, while Andres Iniesta stabbed a shot wide following a neat interchange of passes with Henry.
Barcelona opened the scoring through Henry with 10 minutes left in the first half. Bojan crossed from the right and Henry got between two defenders to plant a simple header into the back of the net.
Mallorca only managed one shot on target throughout all game and with 10 minutes gone in the second half, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola introduced Leo Messi in an attempt to kill the tie off completely.
Messi was straight into action, combining well with Iniesta on two occasions, but again Lux was at his best to deny him.
It needed a free kick for Barcelona to double the lead. Marquez curled the ball over a defensive wall and into the back of the net with 17 minutes remaining.
Their rival was unable to up its game, although Barcelona had one nervous moment in injury time when Oscar Trejo went down in their penalty box1 under a Marquez challenge.
However referee Muniz Fernandez waved away the visitors' appeals for a penalty and Barcelona have taken a big step towards the Cup final.
(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 6, 2009)
