While a second string Real Madrid side drew 2-2 against minnows Numancia, it needed the brilliance of Lionel Messi and other stars for Barcelona to beat Celta Vigo 5-0 and enter the quarterfinals of Copa del Rey.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the tie, a superb performance was needed from the Catalans against a clinical Vigo side. They had won their two matches before sharing spoils with the two giants of Spanish club football—Real Madrid and Barcelona—in their last two games.
As has been the case more often than not, one of the greatest players, Lionel Messi, once again stepped on the accelerator and scored a brace while setting up another goal as the holders eased past Vigo.
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It never looked like the two teams are the same which had combined last week for a thrilling 1-1 draw. Messi opened the scoring in the 13th minute, before adding another within 2 minutes. It was never going to be easy anyways Juan Carlos Unzué’s side and once they were down by 2 goals, it became further improbable.
Jordi Alba then scored from a brilliant pass from Messi, done from close to half line into the box, as Barca went 3-0 in the 28th minute. Another quick goal followed as Luis Suarez scored in the 31st minute to make it 4-0. Valverde’s men went into the break with same score and then reduced the goal-scoring intensity in the second half as only one more goal was scored.
Ivan Rakitic scored three minutes from the time to seal the game 5-0. The result meant that Barcelona won the tie 6-1 on aggregate and enter the quarterfinal of the cup.