Abidal scores the winner as Barcelona beat Real Madrid

Barcelona celebrate Eric Abidal's goal that secured them victory over Real Madrid

A unlikely goal from Eric Abidal earned Barcelona a famous victory over rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final a the Bernabeu.

Just as in the league clash between these two last month Real Madrid who went ahead early on before the catalan club came from behind to beat the hosts.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opener after 11 minutes, picking up Karim Benzema's pass before showing great pace to surge past Pique and firing low past keeper Jose Manuel Pinto.

Barcelona dominated the first half but could not find a way through. Alexis Sanchez headed Cesc Fabregas' cross off the inside of the post and Andres Iniesta should have equalised when the Chilean found him free inside the area but he fired wide.

Just four minutes after the break the Catalans leveled as unmarked Carlos Puyol headed Xavi's corner home giving Casillas no chance.

Iniesta and Benzema then saw efforts come back off the bar and post respectively before Abidal, who yesterday signed a one-year contract extension, latched on to Lionel Messi's excellent ball over the top to prod past Iker Casillas and score only his second goal in five seasons at the club.

Messi was heavily involved in the winner. He escaped Madrid's pressure in the midfield and scooped a wonderful ball over the top for Abidal.

Jose Mourinho had surprised many by recalling Ricardo Carvalho after 21 games out through injury and handing Hamit Altintop only his third start as a Madrid player at right-back.

Pepe was lucky not to see a second yellow card directly after the foul as he appeared to stand on Messi's hand while the Argentinian was on the ground.

Madrid coach said "if it's intentional then it's punishable."

"Unfortunately these are plays that are there but the referee didn't see," Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said. "That was brutal."