Barcelona faced Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey, clinching a 2-0 win thanks to late goals from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford. The match was delayed for about half an hour as fans waited outside the new grandstand at the Pedro Escartín stadium, which now holds around 8,000 spectators.
Though Barcelona controlled the game, they struggled to find clear scoring opportunities early on. Coach Hansi Flick praised his team’s attitude, emphasizing that mentality is crucial in knockout matches. “When you play these Copa games, it’s not easy because they defend really well,” he noted.
Flick gave goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen his first start of the season after an injury. Ter Stegen had to make an early save from a long-range attempt, signaling that Guadalajara wasn’t merely there to participate. The game saw several missed chances, with Barcelonas’ Cody Vicente making key stops against Rashford.
After the break, Barcelona ramped up their intensity. The deadlock broke in the 76th minute when Frenkie de Jong’s cross found Christensen for the header. Rashford sealed the win by rounding the keeper and scoring a second goal.
This victory reflects Barcelona’s resilience in a competitive tournament. As sports analyst Jonathan Smith states, “Consistency in attitude and execution separates the great teams from the good ones in knockout football.”
In terms of statistics, Barcelona has maintained strong Copa del Rey performances, having won the tournament a record 31 times. This historical context underlines the importance of their ongoing success and the depth of their squad.
The match also ignited discussions on social media, with fans buzzing about the effectiveness of Barcelona’s game strategy and the promising return of Ter Stegen. Reactions ranged from relief to excitement about the team’s potential this season.
For more on Barcelona’s storied history in the Copa del Rey, check out their official statistics and records here.
