Lamine Yamal and Raphael Dias ‘Raphinha’ have a good time the aim. Photograph: AFP
BARCELONA:
Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal fired Barcelona to a 2-0 win over Racing Santander and into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Thursday.
The Spanish internationals’ strikes helped holders Barca defeat second division leaders Racing to progress from a surprisingly tight final 16 conflict and report an eleventh consecutive victory throughout all competitions.
The hosts had two objectives disallowed for offside and report 32-time winners Barca did simply sufficient to assert victory.
“We did not assume they might be so laborious to interrupt down,” admitted Torres to Movistar.
“We knew that we needed to stretch the sport, be calm and in the long run it went properly.”
Having seen Actual Madrid eradicated at second-tier Albacete on Wednesday Barca coach Hansi Flick named a reasonably sturdy aspect, together with teenage star Yamal.
After a 15 minute delay with some followers caught outdoors, the match kicked off at Racing’s Sardinero stadium, and Barca shortly took management of the ball.
The Catalans struggled to show possession right into a significant opening although, and after they lastly did Dani Olmo missed his kick from Marcus Rashford’s harmful cross.
Racing seemed to breach Barcelona’s excessive defensive position however after they did get in behind the guests managed to mop up properly.
Giorgi Guliashvili’s low effort from vary was fielded comfortably by Joan Garcia, and that was as shut because the hosts got here.
Barcelona continued to push ahead within the second half and Rashford had a shot tipped away and in addition drilled narrowly large.
Ultimately the Spanish champions took the lead by means of Torres, after Fermin Lopez despatched him by means of on aim. The Spain worldwide rounded Racing goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta and rolled dwelling.
The hosts have been compelled on the offensive and twice had the ball in Barcelona’s web, however each of Manex Lozano’s objectives have been dominated out for offside.
Barca goalkeeper Garcia made an outstanding save to thwart Lozano one-on-one deep in stoppage time and keep away from the sport going to extra-time.
Barca wrapped up their win with the final kick of the match, Yamal tapping in Raphinha’s cross on the again submit.
“We performed the sport we needed to play, we performed a ten out of 10 match, (with) two offside objectives and the prospect on the finish… it is okay, it is soccer,” stated Racing defender Alvaro Mantilla.
Elsewhere Valencia received 2-0 at Burgos to achieve the final eight
