Celta Vigo rattled the crossbar, but could not find a breakthrough as they were held to a goalless draw at home in the first leg of their King’s Cup semi-final against Alaves on Thursday.
Celta’s Iago Aspas was denied by the woodwork in the 67th minute with a bullet strike from the heart of the area on a rain-soaked pitch at the Balaidos stadium.
Read more | Frank Lampard retires at 38 after turning down ‘exciting offers’
Alaves, the 2001 UEFA Cup finalists, who are attempting to reach the King’s Cup final for the first time, will host the second leg on Feb. 8.
Three-times finalists Celta, who knocked out Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, dominated possession for most of the first half only for Alaves to create the first chance in the 40th minute.
Watch | Lionel Messi’s wonder goal in FC Barcelona’s win over Atletico Madrid
The visitors launched a counter-attack that ended with Manu Garcia getting on the end of Victor Camarasa’s cross and striking a left-footed effort towards the near post that drew a flying save from Celta goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez.
{{/usCountry}}The visitors launched a counter-attack that ended with Manu Garcia getting on the end of Victor Camarasa’s cross and striking a left-footed effort towards the near post that drew a flying save from Celta goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez.
{{/usCountry}}Celta almost broke the deadlock on 58 minutes but Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco kept out Aspas’s shot from six metres.
Read more | Gabriel Jesus lights up Manchester City, Man United held by Hull City
Alaves substitute Edgar Mendes had a one-on-one with Alvarez but shot straight at the keeper in the 78th minute.
Barcelona won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the other semi-final, ahead of next week’s return leg at the Nou Camp.