After 90 minutes at Camp Nou, nothing has really been decided. In three weeks’ time at the Santiago Bernabeu it will be, though, and there is cause for optimism for both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

This match could hardly have been any different to their last meeting here. Back on October 28, Barca thrashed Real 5-1 at Camp Nou to condemn Julen Lopetegui to the sack.

Lionel Messi missed that one through injury and the Argentine attacker did not start this Copa del Rey semi-final first leg either, having finished with discomfort in his thigh in the 2-2 draw at home to Valencia on Sunday.

In the October game in La Liga, Barca did not need him. Tonight, they definitely did. With their team a goal down and playing poorly early in the second half, fans at Camp Nou clamoured for their idol to be introduced.

When he finally emerged to warm up, that alone lifted the stadium and while he was jogging down the sidelines, Barca levelled at 1-1 (below). Later, he came on and Barca could have won the game. So too could Madrid, though. In the end, neither did, and that was probably fair.

Many of Real’s best performances in the Clasico in recent seasons have come at Camp Nou, despite some heavy defeats at this stadium. Barca, meanwhile, have made the Bernabeu a second home in the last decade, winning 6-2, 4-0, 4-3, 3-2 and 3-0 at Real’s famous ground.

Whether they will win or not in three weeks’ time remains to be seen, but those results will inspire confidence in the semi-final second leg, which is followed straight away by the sides’ meeting in La Liga at the same stadium just four days later.

Those two fixtures will decide which of these teams makes it into the Copa final (against either Betis or Valencia) and could have some say in the outcome of La Liga as well, although Barcelona are currently eight points ahead of third-placed Madrid.

If anything, Los Blancos will be more pleased after this first leg. It was Santiago Solari’s first Clasico as coach and tactically, Madrid looked good, pressing high and dominating the midfield battle in the opening half.

Real scored early through Lucas Vazquez, the winger poking home from close range after good play by Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema, those two impressive again after some dynamic displays in recent weeks.

Barca’s leveller came via Malcom, the Brazilian causing compatriot Marcelo problems all night down the right and taking advantage of a huge space on that side to fire home with a fierce drive.

Quite what has happened to Madrid’s left-back is unclear, but his decline this term has been alarming and on this form, it would be surprising to see him start the second leg.

Gareth Bale is another player who is on the fringes and the Welsh winger squandered a glorious opportunity late in the game with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen off his line. If this match proved anything, it is that Madrid’s first-choice attacking trio is currently Vinicius, Benzema and Luca. The 29-year-old will have to wait.

Barca blew hot and cold and did not look themselves for much of the night, although Nelson Semedo stood out and they still they had their moments, particularly towards the end as Madrid tired. In any case, they will not be too disheartened by the result.

Rarely, perhaps, the scoreline suited both teams in this Clasico. The 1-1 draw showed that Real’s renaissance is a reality under Solari, although there are no guarantees of advancing just yet. Because the Bernabeu is just like home for Messi and Barca. All to play for on February 27.