FC Barcelona has advanced to the last sixteen of the Copa del Rey following a decisive 4-0 victory over lower-tier team Barbastro on Saturday. The match showcased Barça’s dominance, with goals from Eric García, Robert Lewandowski (who scored twice), and Pablo Torre ensuring a comfortable win. This victory serves as an excellent prelude for the team as they prepare for their upcoming match in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The draw for the next round is scheduled for Wednesday, December 8, with the matches to be played the following week.
In this match, notable highlights included Wojciech Szczęsny starting as goalkeeper for the first time, and Ronald Araujo making a significant return from injury after 181 days, even donning the captain’s armband. Ansu Fati also returned to the pitch as a substitute, while Barça Atlètic’s 16-year-old Toni Fernandez made his debut and impressed in his brief appearance.
Araujo was instrumental in the opening goal, assisting Eric García’s header just 21 minutes into the game. The match saw Barça’s total control over Barbastro, who could not replicate their resilient performance from the previous year. Lewandowski doubled the lead shortly after with a header from a free kick, and by halftime, the score was 3-0 with another goal from the Polish striker.
Barbastro’s efforts were unable to thwart Barça, and a mistake by the home goalkeeper allowed Pablo Torre to score the fourth goal. Though the game ended without a fifth goal, Barça’s superiority was clear throughout.
There was a health scare during the match when Iñigo Martinez collided with Barbastro’s Jaime Ara, who was carried off on a stretcher amid applause from the crowd. In a heartwarming moment, Barbastro’s Israel Garcia proposed to his girlfriend after the match, adding a joyful note to the evening.
As Barcelona sets its sights on the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, the team can take pride in their strong performance and the promising contributions from their younger players.
Overall, this match not only highlights Barça’s continued prowess on the field but also underscores the team’s depth and potential for the future.