Savio's goal saves Zaragoza
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-02-06 10:49

A last-gasp strike from Brazilian forward Savio allowed struggling Primera Liga side Real Zaragoza to salvage a 1-1 draw at second division Alaves in a King's Cup semi-final first leg on Thursday.

Zaragoza's Brazilian striker Savio Bartolini, center, celebrates after scoring against Alaves during their first leg, semifinal Kings Cup soccer match in Vitoria. northern Spain, Thursday Feb. 5, 2004. The match ended in a 1-1 tie. [AP]

The former Real Madrid player slid in at the far post to guide in a clever pass from fellow striker David Villa a minute into injury time to leave the tie wide open ahead of next week's second leg.

Alaves, who dominated for most of the game, had taken the lead in the 19th minute when Croatian striker Jurica Vucko nodded in at the near post after Ivan Alonso had headed the ball into his path.

But the sending-off of Alaves midfielder Jesus Angel Turiel 14 minutes from time for a second booking left the door open to Zaragoza, who scrambled their late equaliser in one of their few attacks.

In the other semi-final Real Madrid took a major step towards a place in the final after second-half goals from Santiago Solari and Raul gave them a 2-0 win at home to Sevilla on Wednesday.

Alaves, relegated last season but mounting a strong challenge for a return to the top flight, made an enthusiastic start in front of their own fans as they muscled Zaragoza out of midfield and launched a succession of slick attacks.

They got their reward when midfielder Edu Alonso swept in a cross from the right, Ivan Alonso nodded back towards the near post where Vucko was on hand to help it into the net.

They came close to extending their lead just before the half-hour mark when Ivan Alonso slammed a close-range volley onto the post following a looping pass from midfielder Pablo.

Zaragoza's only chance of the first half came in the final minute when defender Gabriel Milito sent a glancing header over the bar after a Savio free kick.

The visitors were in better form after the break and had a great chance to equalise when Cani found himself in space eight metres out, but the midfielder was closed down as he lined up his shot.

Turiel's sending off, though, gave Zaragoza a new lease of life and after twice going close, Savio finally found the net when he got his foot to Villa's neat pass behind the Alaves defence.

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