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Lionel Messi-Less Barcelona Look Uninspired in Shocking Levante Loss

Barcelona will have to mount a comeback in the Copa del Rey if they're to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, as they were upset 2-1 by Levante in their last-16 first-leg encounter on Thursday.

Barcelona, who rested Lionel Messi for the match, got off to the worst possible start as they quickly found themselves two goals down. Erick Cabaco opened the scoring for the hosts on four minutes, before Borja Mayoral—on loan at Levante from Real Madrid—made it 2-0 14 minutes later.

For long spells Barcelona were lifeless in attack in the second period and it looked as though they would have a two-goal deficit to make up in the second leg.