Barcelona v Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey - in pictures

It's hard to know which would give José Mourinho greater satisfaction tonight - beating Barcelona using his prefered defensive tactics, or watching his side win (or even lose) with the kind of adventurous ideology that his detractors have implored him to use. The Real Madrid coach has been so widely derided since details of his training ground spat with Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas were made public after Madrid's 2-1 first leg defeat to Barca, that one thing is sure: only a victory tonight can fully salvage his reputation Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP

In the opening minutes, Real have two wonderful chances to open the scoring. First, Higuain races in on goal almost from the kick-off but fires wide ... Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images

... then Sergio Ramos misses a free header and Higuain hits the rebound straight at the keeper Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images

Lionel Messi is being subjected to predictably physical challenges tonight. That's not stopping him though Photograph: Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images

The same can't be said for the Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta who leaves the field with an injured arm after half an hour. Real have been dominant thus far, yet still it remains goalless Photograph: Pierre-philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images

But that changes shortly before half-time when a dazzling run and delicate pass by Messi finds Pedro in space, and the tiny striker sweeps the ball into the near corner. 1-0 to Barcelona Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images

That goal was all about Messi's run - the Real players were back-pedalling and scarcely had time or capacity to contend with Pedro's presence on the edge of the box Photograph: Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images

To make matters worse for Real, Danny Alves cracks a magnificent shot into the top corner of the net with virtually the last kick of the half. How he controlled that ball as it spun wildly across his path beggars belief. He took it first-time and it flew 20 yards like a dart Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images

Cue some badge-kissing from Alves to get the fans going ... Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP

... and some rubber-lip gestures from Cristiano Ronaldo to show his bemusement Photograph: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters

Madrid continue to attack in the second half - they've no other choice now - and when Mezut Ozil slides a pass into space for Ronaldo, the Portuguese does well to round the keeper and fire into the net Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Two minutes later, Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema, on as a subsitute, controls the ball and turns inside Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol before firing a volley into the near corner of the net. It's 2-2 on the night and, if Real can score one more, this will surely be one of the most remarkable turn-arounds in recent El Clasico history Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images

Predicatbly, the tension is released through aggressive tackling and squabbling. All of which ends in Ramos earning a second yellow card Photograph: Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images

But Barcelona are able to hold on for a 2-2 draw and therefore edge past Real on aggregate. Mourinho must be sick of Clasicos, but at least he might escape from this one with a slither of credit given the nature of the comeback Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images