Barcelona force last-gasp cup draw against Valencia

Madrid - Barcelona needed an injury-time equalizer Wednesday to force a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia in an intense Spanish King's Cup semi-final first leg.

Xavi Hernandez levelled for Barca in the third minute of injury time after David Villa had given Valencia a shock lead on the hour.

Villa had broken the deadlock against the run of play in the 60th minute by turning in a Javier Arizmendi centre from the right at the near post.

Valencia then did well to keep Lionel Messi under control, though the Argentine did force several sharp saves from Timo Hildebrand.

The German keeper then made spectacular late saves against Gabriel Milito and Yaya Toure with Barca desperate to equalize.

In the 93rd minute, Hildebrand saved well from Samuel Eto'o, only for Xavi to make it 1-1 by putting away the rebound with a low drive.

The return leg will be played on March 20 in Valencia.

By then, Valencia might have a new president, with the unpopular Juan Soler trying to sell his shares in the club after a traumatic season.

Valencia have not reached the cup final since 1999, Barca since 1998.

The other semi-final between Getafe and Racing Santander will kick off Thursday.