Seville: Real Betis ended Barcelona's team-record unbeaten streak at 28 games with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night that didn't stop the Blaugrana from advancing to the Spanish King's Cup semifinals on 6-3 aggregate.
Having won the first leg 5-0 at home last week, Barcelona started just three regulars: forward Lionel Messi, midfielder Xavi Hernandez and defender Gerard Pique.
Betis, the second-division leader, built a 2-0 lead on goals by Jorge Molina in the second and seventh minutes. It was the first time Barcelona had trailed in a match since October 16, when it rallied for a 2-1 league victory over Valencia.
Messi, the two-time FIFA player of the year, closed the gap in the 38th minute with his 32nd goal of the season, but Arturo "Arzu" Garcia made it 3-1 in first-half injury time.
Messi had a chance to pull Barcelona within a goal again in the 54th minute but sent his penalty kick over the crossbar.
A day after coach Pep Guardiola's 40th birthday, Barcelona fell to 25-2-6 in all competitions this season, with its only other loss 2-0 at home to Hercules in the league on September 11.
In the semifinals, Barcelona plays Almeria — a team it defeated 8-0 in the league this season. The other semifinal has defending champion Sevilla playing Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, which trails 3-1 going into Thursday's second leg.
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