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01 May 2024, Edition - 3214, Wednesday

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Sports

Copa del Rey: Barcelona thrash Celta Vigo to reach quarter-finals

indiatoday.com

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Lionel Messi was yet again the hero for FC Barcelona as he scored twice against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou on Thursday to send them to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona put five goals past the Celta Vigo goal in the second leg of the fixture to beat them 6-1 on aggregate.

Ernesto Valverde put up his strongest team after the Barcelona had drawn 1-1 in the first leg of the tie.

Messi and the others responded with aplomb putting up a deadly attacking play on board.

In the 13th minute, Messi connected with Jordo Alba’s low cross to open the scoring for Barcelona and just moments later, the two combined yet again to bring about the same result — Messi goal on the board.

Even when Barcelona were comfortably poised at 2-0, their pace did not drop down.

In the 28th minute, Messi sent a curling pass from deep towards Alba who duly obliged and slid to send the ball at the back of the net.

Suarez joined the party even before the half time whistle and capitalising on Pione Sisto’s sloppy back pass, Suarez found the net for the fifth game running.

Ivan Rakitic completed the formalities in the 87th minute by putting one more on the board.

Sevilla defeated fellow Andalusian side Cadiz 2-1 at home for a 4-1 aggregate win, while Espanyol overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg by beating Levante 2-0 away to join Barca in Friday’s quarter-final draw.

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