Jordi Alba and Neymar scored as FC Barcelona won the Copa del Rey for the 28th time on Sunday. Die Mannschaft’s Marc-André ter Stegen completed the match. The Catalans beat Europa League champions Sevilla 2-0, with both goals coming in extra time. Defender Alba scored after 97 minutes, with Neymar wrapping the victory up in the closing seconds.
Barca played the majority of the game with 10 men. Javier Mascherano saw red after 36 minutes, after committing a professional foul on Kevin Gameiro. His dismissal was the quickest in a Copa del Rey final to date. Referee Carlos del Cerro Grande dished out a total of 15 cards over the course of the match.
Dominance pays off
Despite having a man sent off before the break, Barcelona remained in control and had the better chances throughout the match. However, they almost fell behind after 50 minutes when Ever Banega’s powerful drive crashed off the post and rebounded to safety. Luis Suarez was withdrawn with injury soon after (57’) but this change didn’t prove as costly as some thought at the time.
Sevilla created some good chances whilst they had the numerical advantage but ter Stegen and Co. stood firm. Banega was sent off in the final minute of regulation time, an event which severely hampered Sevilla’s title aspirations as Barcelona stepped up a gear in extra time. Their fluid frontline created numerous chances and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead. Alba flicked the ball past Sergio Rico after classy play from Messi to open the scoring, with Neymar putting the icing on the cake late on.
Jordi Alba and Neymar scored as FC Barcelona won the Copa del Rey for the 28th time on Sunday. Die Mannschaft’s Marc-André ter Stegen completed the match. The Catalans beat Europa League champions Sevilla 2-0, with both goals coming in extra time. Defender Alba scored after 97 minutes, with Neymar wrapping the victory up in the closing seconds.
Barca played the majority of the game with 10 men. Javier Mascherano saw red after 36 minutes, after committing a professional foul on Kevin Gameiro. His dismissal was the quickest in a Copa del Rey final to date. Referee Carlos del Cerro Grande dished out a total of 15 cards over the course of the match.
Dominance pays off
Despite having a man sent off before the break, Barcelona remained in control and had the better chances throughout the match. However, they almost fell behind after 50 minutes when Ever Banega’s powerful drive crashed off the post and rebounded to safety. Luis Suarez was withdrawn with injury soon after (57’) but this change didn’t prove as costly as some thought at the time.
Sevilla created some good chances whilst they had the numerical advantage but ter Stegen and Co. stood firm. Banega was sent off in the final minute of regulation time, an event which severely hampered Sevilla’s title aspirations as Barcelona stepped up a gear in extra time. Their fluid frontline created numerous chances and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead. Alba flicked the ball past Sergio Rico after classy play from Messi to open the scoring, with Neymar putting the icing on the cake late on.
