The Blaugranas impress! Barça crushed Betis in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. Jules Koundé scorer. The Catalans join Atlético in the quarter-finals…
FC Barcelona put in an XXL performance this Wednesday evening by destroying Betis Sevilla 5-1 in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. Despite the absence of their star Robert Lewandowski, left on the bench, the Blaugranas offered a real recital to their audience gathered at the Montjuic Olympic stadium and successfully validated their ticket for the quarter-finals.
Barça rules the roost
Buoyed by the momentum of their resounding success against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup (3-1), the Catalans immediately took control of operations. It only took 3 minutes for the Gavi nugget to unlock the counter by taking a subtle deviation from a cross from Ferran Torres. The Catalan machine was launched.
Koundé at the conclusion
Barça doubled the lead in the 27th minute through Jules Koundé. The French international, already decisive in recent times, appeared at the far post to catapult home a precise cross from Lamine Yamal. A clear strike which left the opposing goalkeeper no chance. A deserved advantage at the break for Xavi’s men.
Offensive festival in the second half
Far from slowing down, Barça accelerated upon returning from the locker room. Raphinha, at the conclusion of a magnificent collective combination (58th), and Ferran Torres, with a cross strike (67th), added to the score. In the meantime, two other Catalan goals were even disallowed for offside. The young prodigy Lamine Yamal, only 15 years old, completed the demonstration with a subtle flick (78th). Betis saved the honor at the end of the game by Virot Roque, from the penalty spot (84th). Final score 5-1, Barça made short work of Betis.
-Barça had an accomplished match. We were able to score quickly and then calmly play our game. This bodes well for the future.
Xavi, FC Barcelona coach
Atlético also there
In the other poster for the round of 16, Atlético Madrid also qualified without trembling by dominating Elche (D2) 2-0, thanks to a double from Alexander Sorloth. The Colchoneros thus sign a 15th consecutive victory in all competitions and assert themselves as the most fit team at the moment in Europe.
Now for the quarter-finals of the competition. Real Madrid, opposed this Thursday to Celta Vigo, will try to take part in their turn and forget their rout against Barça in the Super Cup. For its part, FC Barcelona can savor and calmly approach the rest of its season, with a newfound appetite. An appetite for titles.
