Iniesta gives Barcelona Cup edge

Barcelona had to settle for a single-goal victory against third-tier club CD L'Hospitalet in the first leg of their Spanish Cup last 32 tie on Wednesday, with Andres Iniesta scoring the game's only goal.

The reigning European champions had to do without several first-team regulars due to international call-ups, but coach Pep Guardiola still sent out a strong starting line-up containing the likes of Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa and Iniesta for the short trip to L'Hospitalet, from the Barcelona suburbs.

In front of a surprisingly sparse crowd, Barca monopolised possession, but their only goal came from Iniesta, who beat home goalkeeper Jose Moragon with a superb strike from just outside the area four minutes before the interval. It was almost 2-0 moments later when a Puyol header from a corner struck Seydou Keita and then hit the post. AFP