Barcelona eased their way into the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey on Saturday evening courtesy of a 4-0 success over fourth-tier outfit Barbastro at Estadio Municipal de Deportes de Barbastro.
Eric Garcia headed Barcelona ahead in the 21st minute of the contest, before Robert Lewandowski guided a deep free kick from Pablo Torre into the back of the net to double the away side's advantage 10 minutes later.
Lewandowski scored again early in the second period to put the game beyond Barbastro, who conceded a fourth soon after when Torre intercepted a pass from the home side's goalkeeper Arnau Fabrega before finishing into the back of the net.
Hansi Flick's side have advanced to the final 16 of the tournament that they have won on 31 occasions, and they are certainly among the favourites to triumph in the 2024-25 competition.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Barcelona head coach Flick, as expected, made changes to his usual side for this contest, including a debut for Wojciech Szczesny, but it was still a very strong outfit, and one that was never going to pass up the chance to advance in the competition.
Lewandowski led the line and was on the scoresheet in a strong first-half performance from Barcelona, who had 80% of the ball and managed 10 shots during a dominant opening 45 minutes of action.
It would have been one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition if Barcelona had lost this match, but in truth, their progression was never in doubt, with Barbastro, for all of their effort and desire, unable to upset the Catalan giants.
Torre made the biggest impression of the Barcelona players who were given opportunities to mark their mark, with the midfielder coming up with a goal and two assists in a dominant performance.
BARBASTRO VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
21st min: Barbastro 0-1 Barcelona (Eric Garcia)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 21st minute of the contest, as Garcia heads into the back of the net from inside the box after fellow defender Ronald Araujo had guided the ball back into a dangerous area.
31st min: Barbastro 0-2 Barcelona (Robert Lewandowski)
Lewandowski doubles Barcelona's lead in the 31st minute of the contest, as the striker heads a deep free kick from Torre into the back of the net; Barbastro will be very disappointed to have conceded from two headers here.
47th min: Barbastro 0-3 Barcelona (Robert Lewandowski)
Lewandowski has his second of the match, with the experienced forward slotting a pass from Torre into the back of the net; Torre has been excellent for the Catalan giants in this contest.
56th min: Barbastro 0-4 Barcelona (Pablo Torre)
Barcelona have their fourth of the match in the 56th minute, with Torre intercepting a pass from the home side's goalkeeper before finishing into the back of the net from close range.
MAN OF THE MATCH - PABLO TORRE
© Imago
Torre has not played in La Liga since the end of November, with the midfielder being overlooked by Flick, but he reminded his manager of his quality with an excellent performance in the Copa del Rey fixture.
The 21-year-old provided two assists courtesy of two excellent balls, while he netted himself in the 56th minute, and he was exceptional throughout the contest, with Barbastro simply unable to get close to the Spaniard, who will be hoping for more action in the coming weeks.
BARBASTRO VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Barbastro 24%-76% Barcelona
Shots: Barbastro 2-19 Barcelona
Shots on target: Barbastro 1-9 Barcelona
Corners: Barbastro 1-8 Barcelona
Fouls: Barbastro 16-7 Barcelona
BEST STATS
Robert Lewandowski this season:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 4, 2025
25 goals
25 games pic.twitter.com/tYzjqmmC3c
🔵🔴✨ Toni Fernandéz becomes the second youngest player in history to debut for Barcelona, 16 years and 173 days.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2025
He's only behind Lamine Yamal. pic.twitter.com/sMo1LpCBBD
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona's attention will now switch to the Spanish Super Cup, as they prepare to head to Saudi Arabia to take part in the competition, with Athletic Bilbao their opponents in the semi-final on January 8, ahead of a potential final against either Real Madrid or Mallorca.
Barbastro, meanwhile, will be aiming to return to winning ways when they continue their Segunda Division RFEF campaign with a clash against Tudelano on January 12.
Matt Law
