Joyful Barça players celebrate Cesc's first goal
Madrid - Arabstoday
Barcelona moved a step closer to a possible Copa del Rey quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid after winning the first leg of their last-16 tie 4-0 over Osasuna at the Nou Camp tonight. Barça had defeated
Osasuna 8-0 at home in La Liga back in September and the Pamplona-based side must have feared another mauling when Cesc Fabregas netted twice in the opening 18 minutes - the second a superb chip.
As it was, a strong Barcelona side added two more goals from Lionel Messi, who climbed off the bench to net in the 72nd and 90th minutes. The Argentinian's first goal was a close-range header and the second was a fine curling effort from the edge of the box, taking his tally to 31 goals in all competitions this season.
With RealMadrid fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Malaga 3-2 in their first leg last night, the two Spanish giants remain on course for a repeat of last season's final - which Jose Mourinho's side won 1-0 - in the last eight of this season's competition.
In tonight's other last-16 first leg, Real Sociedad continued their recent run of good form with a 2-0 home win over Real Mallorca.
Sociedad, who have climbed away from the foot of the La Liga table on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, took the lead through Mikel Aranburu in the 17th minute and Imanol Agirretxe added the second nine minutes into the second half.
GMT 10:16 2018 Tuesday ,11 December
Kiev the latest home away from home for Shakhtar in crunch matchGMT 09:27 2018 Monday ,10 December
Gladbach win to go second, Mainz grab controversial drawGMT 07:27 2018 Sunday ,09 December
Messi's free-kick double keeps Barcelona clear at the top of La LigaGMT 11:56 2018 Thursday ,06 December
Messi primed for Catalan derby after Ballon d'Or snubGMT 14:47 2018 Wednesday ,05 December
All-conquering Shiffrin set for more success as WC returns to EuropeGMT 15:53 2018 Monday ,03 December
Swiss test for hosts Portugal, England meet Dutch in Nations LeagueGMT 07:07 2018 Sunday ,02 December
Man City extend Premier League lead; rivals United fall further backGMT 20:37 2018 Wednesday ,28 November
Record winners Sevilla among three Spanish sides seeking EL progress
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor