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| Ilkay Gundogan of FC Barcelona celebration with teammates after scoring their team second goal from a penalty | photo Credit : Getty Images |
Barcelona faced an unexpected challenge when they narrowly defeated fourth-division club Barbastro 3-2 in the third round of the Copa del Rey. Despite securing a spot in the round of 16, the victory came at a cost, raising concerns about the team's performance.
Xavi Hernández, Barcelona's coach, expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's struggle, stating, “We suffered more than necessary. It’s a game in which you can score several goals, but when you don’t, you end up suffering more than expected.”
The match saw Fermín López and Raphinha making significant contributions for Barcelona, but the game was not without its setbacks. Injuries and a disallowed goal added to the drama, further highlighting the team's challenges.
In other Copa del Rey matches, Valencia faced a tough battle against 10-man Cartagena, ultimately prevailing in extra time. Meanwhile, several topflight clubs secured victories against lower-division opponents, with notable wins for Athletic Bilbao, Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Sevilla, Real Sociedad, and Osasuna.
The upset of the day came as second-division club Tenerife triumphed over top-tier Las Palmas in a heated Canary Islands derby. The game between Villarreal and Unionistas was suspended due to a power outage and will continue in extra time.
The previous day, defending champion Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid also advanced in the Copa del Rey, marking their debut in this round of single elimination games.
As the Copa del Rey progresses, the competition promises more excitement and surprises as teams vie for supremacy in this prestigious tournament.
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