Audio By Carbonatix
Lionel Messi bagged a brace and assisted another as Barcelona eased into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a 5-0 home win over Leganes.
Quique Setien came into this match having suffered defeat to Valencia on Saturday, with the new Barca manager’s methods coming under scrutiny, but this was a stronger performance from the Catalans.
It took them just four minutes to open the scoring, with Antoine Griezmann rolling a shot over the line after some neat build-up play between Messi and Nelson Semedo down the right. Clement Lenglet doubled the hosts’ advantage with a flicked header from a corner kick just before the half-hour mark.
Messi grabbed his first of the night in the second half, although there was more than a hint of good fortune in the way his shot deflected into the back of the net. Arthur also enjoyed some good luck in adding a fourth, sending the ball into the back of the net despite Ivan Cuellar first making saves from Ansu Fati and Messi.
It was 5-0 with just minutes remaining as Messi rounded the goalkeeper from an Ivan Rakitic through ball and sent a finish into the roof of the net. Barcelona now enter Friday’s draw for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Barcelona move to within two points of La Liga title with Osasuna win
2 hours -
World Relays: We can’t afford to miss out again” — Amenakpor rallies Ghana after relay setback
2 hours -
Germany says US troop withdrawal ‘foreseeable’ as Nato seeks clarification
4 hours -
Kingsford Boakye-Yiadom attracts interest from Man United, Brighton, Atletico Madrid, others after Everton exit
4 hours -
Oil tanker hijacked off coast of Yemen and taken towards Somalia
4 hours -
These twins were born within minutes of each other – but have different dads
5 hours -
Black Princesses Coach Charles Sampson confident ahead of Uganda Qualifier
6 hours -
Mahama announces 1,200MW gas-fired power plant to boost electricity supply
6 hours -
We’ll publish the list of areas where ECG transformers will be replaced – John Jinapor
6 hours -
2026 Aboakyer Festival durbar held with beautiful tradition
7 hours -
Ghana drawn with Brazil, Spain in crucial World Relays repechage race
8 hours -
A nation that cannot employ its youth, cannot sustain peace – Kwamuhene urges urgent job creation
9 hours -
Annoh-Dompreh elected Chairman of PAP Committee on Health, Social Work and Labour
9 hours -
Swedru All Blacks stun Vision FC to ignite relegation battle
9 hours -
World Cup 2026: Injuries to key players ahead of tournament worrying – Kurt Okraku
9 hours