FC Barcelona have made history in Spanish football once again. And while we might have heard that in the past, this time it was a big piece of history Los Blaugranas conquered.
Playing in front of a completely-crowded Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Barca won the Copa del Rey after trouncing Sevilla 5-0. The game was decided in the first half when Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez built a 3-0 lead, and Los Blaugranas closed things out thanks to Andres Iniesta – who might have scored his final goal with Barca – and Philippe Coutinho. But aside from the win itself, Barca won its 30th Copa del Rey title and four straight. They became the third team – behind Real Madrid and Athletic Club – to achieve that feat.
A dominant first-half performance puts Barca inches away from the title
Barcelona knew they were 90 minutes away from making history, and as such they started the game playing with a very aggressive approach. That attitude paid off, however, and they only needed 14 minutes to break the deadlock. A long pass from Jasper Cillessen found Coutinho and the Brazilian, often a generous player, left Suarez all alone who only had to tap the ball home to make it 1-0.
Los Blaugranas were far from over, though. A nifty one-two combination between Iniesta and Jordi Alba ended with the left-back backheeling the ball towards Messi, who placed it past David Soria. Messi’s show continued a few minutes when he set up Barca’s third goal with a great pass on a one-two sequence, as his through ball allowed Suarez to make it 3-0 at the break.
Barca add two more goals in a game that was already decided
Sevilla tried to shake things up in the second half and sent Sandro Ramirez to the pitch instead of Joaquin Correa, but the moves didn’t pay off. BArca continued to dominate and they didn’t waste any single chance to further increased their advantage. Iniesta made it 4-0 after another delightful assist from Messi, as the former Spain NT legend scored a goal worthy of someone his quality, when he left the keeper behind after a great through ball from Messi to increase the margin to four. It could have been Iniesta’s final goal with Barca, as he is rumoured to leave the side during the upcoming transfer window.
Coutinho made it 5-0 with a penalty in the 69th minute, and the game was over after that goal. Sevilla stopped fighting, Barcelona knew they had the title wrapped up, and the game was all but over. Los Blaugranas delivered an impressive performance on route to their 30th Copa del Rey title, and won the first of two possible titles this season since they remain very much alive on the Liga race.
Final thoughts
Barcelona won the game comfortably and deservedly, there is no doubt about that. They cruised the game thanks to the early first goal, and Sevilla didn’t represent a threat at any given moment. And with the win, Los Blaugranas became the third team in the tournament’s history to win four consecutive Copa del Rey titles. They took advantage of a slumping Sevilla side to secure the title. Let the celebrations begin for Can Barca!
Match Report
Barcelona: Cillessen (6); Sergi Roberto (5), Pique (6), Umtiti (6), Jordi Alba (7); Rakitic (6), Sergio Busquets (5) (Paulinho (-), 76′), Coutinho (7) (Dembele (-), 82′), Iniesta (8) (Denis Suárez (-), 88′); Messi (9), Suarez (8)
Subs Not Used: Ter Stegen (GK), Vermaelen, Semedo, Paco Alcacer
Sevilla: David Soria (4); Jesus Navas (6), Mercado (4), Lenglet (4), Escudero (5); Pablo Sarabia (5) (Layun (-), 82′), Banega (6); N’Zonzi (5), Correa (5) (Sandro (5), 46′), Vazquez (6) (Nolito (-), 86′); Muriel (5)
Subs Not Used: Sergio Rico (GK), Carrico, Pizarro, Ben Yedder
Goals: Suarez (1-0, 14′), Messi (2-0, 31′), Suarez (3-0, 40′), Iniesta (4-0, 52′), Coutinho (5-0, 69′)
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