Evening all! Our Copa del Rey last-16 coverage continues this evening as Barcelona welcome Getafe to the Camp Nou for the first leg. The Catalan outfit enter the match having won their last six matches in all competitions, but Getafe have lost three of their last four and lost 5-2 to Barcelona when the two sides met in Madrid last month.

The treble is very much on for Barcelona with Champions League qualification secured, while they currently top La Liga having won 16 of their 18 matches this season. Their home form has been stunning this season with nine wins from nine in La Liga, scoring 31 times in the process and conceding just six.

Getafe, meanwhile, currently sit ninth in La Liga having taken 23 points from their 18 matches. They have struggled on the road, however, with six of their nine defeats coming on their travels. The capital outfit were paired with Girona in the fourth round, but advanced to this stage of the competition following a 5-2 aggregate win.

TEAMS:

BARCELONA: Pinto; Montoya, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano; Busquets, Roberto, Iniesta; Alexis, Fabregas, Pedro

GETAFE: Codina; Valera, Rafa, Alexis, Lago; Lacen, Rodriguez; Sarabia, Castro, Gavilan; Ciprian

So there we have it. Lionel Messi is on the bench for Barcelona this evening, but Neymar is out through illness. Cesc Fabregas, meanwhile, will play through the middle. Getafe recall Ciprian Marica in place of Adrian Colunga in attack. There are also starts for Lacen and Gavilan. Right, the away side get the first period underway at the Camp Nou. Let's hope for goals this evening.

Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that Getafe need to take something from this match if they are to stand a chance of making the quarter-finals. The second leg of this last-16 clash will take place in Madrid next week. As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes.

Half-chance for the home side as Iniesta collects possession outside the box before attempting to curl one towards the bottom corner, but Codina is on hand to make a fine save at the vital moment. Getafe have a free kick down the other end moments later, but Alexis can only plant his header high of the crossbar. Positive start from the away side, who were beaten 5-2 by Barcelona less than one month ago in La Liga.

Barcelona force the issue down the left as Pedro cuts inside before finding Fabregas, but his low effort is deflected wide of the post. The resulting corner is delivered by Iniesta, but the danger is cleared. Just a few signs that Barcelona are starting to take control of the possession with six minutes on the clock.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Sanchez delivers a low cross into the Getafe box, but Rafa manages to divert it past his own past. The resulting corner is met by Puyol, but the referee blows for a free kick. Getafe have negotiated the opening eight minutes without conceding at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona take the lead with eight minutes on the clock as Fabregas heads a Pedro cross into the back of the net from inside the box. Textbook header from the Spanish international.

Another half-chance for the home side as Pedro finds some space down the right before delivering a deep cross into the box, but Alexis just manages to turn it over his own crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered by Iniesta, but once more the danger is cleared.

It's bright work from Sarabia as the Getafe midfielder drives down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Puyol is on hand to clear the danger. Barcelona break down the other end with Pedro, but this time his cross is into the arms of Codina, who has been extremely busy inside the opening 13 minutes as another cross from Adriano threatens to bring a second.

Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come next week, but Getafe might be out of this tie if they suffer a heavy defeat. The away side have managed to gain a period of possession in the last couple of moments, but are struggling to force the issue in the final third. Still 1-0 Barcelona after 16 minutes at the Camp Nou.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Getafe to level as Borja meets a whipped cross from Lacen, but somehow he heads over the crossbar from close range. Those are the type of opportunities that you just have to take at this level of football. Barcelona are almost undone by another set piece.

Half-chance for the home side as Roberto finds some space inside the box, but he can only hook his effort high into the area. Roberto finds more space outside the area moments later, but his first touch allows Borja to clear the danger. Little over 25 minutes of the first period remaining at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona continue to force the issue outside the box with Roberto and Iniesta enjoying a lot of the ball, with Getafe struggling to maintain a defensive line. The away side are posing a threat on the counter, but their final ball has been lacking in the opening 23 minutes. It is almost too easy for the home side at the moment.

Another half-chance for the home side as Fabregas finds some space down the left before driving a low cross into the box, but Rafa is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner is taken by Sanchez, but Puyol heads just wide. It has been a dominant display from the Spanish centre-back thus far. It is brilliant to see him in this type of form.

Another opportunity for the home side as Fabregas is brought down on the edge of the box by Gavilan. Fabregas finds Iniesta from the resulting free kick, but his pass towards Sanchez is too long for the Chilean. That is one from the training ground. It appears only a matter of time before Barcelona add to that early header from Fabregas.

Getafe have started to enjoy more of the ball in the middle of the park with the likes of Pedro Leon and Lacen attempting to force the issue, but Busquets continues to sweep up in front of his defence. Gavilan does manage to force another cross into the area moments later, but Puyol is on hand to clear the danger. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Camp Nou.

CHANCE! Strong work from Valera gains his side a free kick as Adriano brings the Getafe defender to the ground. The resulting set piece is taken by Lafita and met by Rodriguez, but Pinto is on hand to make a fine save at the vital moment.

Another half-chance for the away side as Lacen meets a cross from the right, but his header is straight at Pinto from close range. You just get the feeling that the away side need to score during this impressive period. They need an away goal to take into the second leg. That almost comes from Marica, but his header is high of the crossbar.

Wonderful combination between Pedro and Iniesta on the edge of the Getafe box, but Alexis is across to clear at the vital moment. Their next attack comes down the right with Montoya, but he decides against crossing and works the ball back inside. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining at the Camp Nou. Getafe are enjoying more of the game after a slow start.

The home side continue to force the issue as Sanchez delivers a wonderful cross from the right, but Rafa is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Sanchez meets the resulting corner at the near post, but his effort is deflected high of the crossbar. Strong pressure from the home side in the latter stages of the first period.

Sarabia takes matters into his own hands as he collects possession on the edge of the box before firing one towards goal, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. With a little bit more composure Getafe could have opened their tally for the evening here. It remains 1-0 to Barcelona courtesy of that eighth-minute header from Fabregas.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Getafe enjoying more of the ball in the middle of the park. Just a reminder that Lionel Messi is on the bench this evening and is expected to make his return from injury in the second half. Not the best news for Getafe.

Half-chance for Barcelona in the latter stages of the half as Iniesta finds some space outside the box, but his low effort is straight into the arms of Codina. That should be just about that for the first period.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona leading this last-16 Copa del Rey tie 1-0 courtesy of a header from Fabregas after eight minutes. The home side have not had it all their own way, however, with Getafe enjoying positive moments on the counter.

STATISTICS: Barcelona have dominated the possession with 76%, but both sides have had eight attempts. Three of Barcelona's have been on target, but Getafe have tested Pinto on just one occasion. There have been periods of untidiness due to a number of late challenges, but the referee has let the match flow in the correct areas.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a certain Lionel Messi on their bench this evening, while they also have options in the shape of Jordi Alba, Tello and Xavi. Meanwhile, Getafe have the likes of Lafita, Adrian Colunga and Alvaro Arroyo in reserve. Although I would not expect either manager to make changes at the interval.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come in Madrid next month. No changes for either side at the interval as Barcelona get the second 45 minutes underway. Can Getafe secure an away goal?

How long will the home supporters have to wait to see Messi? I suspect he will be given at least 20 minutes ahead of the clash with Atletico Madrid at the weekend. Bright start to the half from the home side as Sanchez advances down the right, but his low cross is blocked by Alexis.

Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg to come next week. However, it could be as good as over if Barcelona record a comprehensive win. Not too much from Getafe in the early stages of the second period with Barcelona dominating possession of the ball. It is a clear 4-5-1 formation for Getafe at the moment.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Pedro delivers a low cross into the box, but Sanchez cannot make contact with his head after it had rebounded off a defender. Fabregas attempts to place one in the bottom corner moments later, but his effort is straight at Codina.

Penalty shout for Sanchez as the Chilean goes down inside the Getafe box after combining with Iniesta, but the referee is not interested. Getafe have possession down the other end with Rodriguez moments later, but he cannot find the run of Sarabia. The away side really need to quell some of the one-way traffic here.

Another half-chance for the home side as Fabregas meets a low cross from Sanchez, but his effort is wide of the post. Messi has been sent to warm-up in the last couple of moments, which is creating a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium. Little over 30 minutes of this first leg remaining. Still Barcelona lead courtesy of that Fabregas header.

CHANCE! Brilliant combination between Fabregas and Roberto leads to the former having a strike on goal, but Codina is once more on hand to make the save. All the opportunities are falling to Barcelona as we approach the final 30 minutes. Still no sign of any changes, but I would be astounded if Messi was not the first one.

CHANCE! Opportunity for Getafe this time as Marica finds Sarabia inside the Barcelona box, but his low effort is straight at Pinto. The home side are down the other end with Fabregas moments later, but the move breaks down when Montoya loses possession.

The home side are awarded a penalty as Pedro is felled inside the box by Valera. It will be Fabregas to take.

The home side have their second and Fabregas has his second as he smashes his effort into the top corner. The goalkeeper is not stopping that. Moments later, Messi is indeed introduced in place of Iniesta. One Barcelona legend for another.

Getafe also make a change of their own with Lafita replacing Gavilan, who struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Barcelona continue to dominate the possession as we approach the final 20 minutes. Who would back against Messi returning with a goal?

Not too much to report in terms of attacking football in the last couple of moments with Barcelona more than happy to keep possession of the ball. They will be keen to put this tie to bed this evening, but they will have one eye on the La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid at the weekend that is for certain.

Messi's first real involvement comes from a free kick as delivers a wonderful cross into the Getafe box, but Busquets can only turn wide from close range. Getafe make their second change of the match moments later as Pedro Leon replaces Sarabia, who has faded in the second half after impressing in the first.

Half-chance for the home side as Pedro comes close to collecting a through pass from Fabregas, but the Spaniard cannot control at the final moment. The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments, meanwhile, as Getafe continue to concede free kicks around their own area.

CHANCE! Sanchez comes close to making it 3-0 as the Chilean collects a pass from Messi before striking on goal, but Codina is on hand to make a fine save. Getafe just cannot keep the ball at the moment as they continue to chase shadows in their own half.

Barcelona make their second change of the evening as Tello replaces Sanchez, who has had another impressive night at the Camp Nou. Surely the Chilean will start against Atletico at the weekend. But who will join him in attack? I would expect Messi to be flanked by Sanchez and Neymar.

Half-chance for Getafe as Castro finds some space outside the box before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but his effort just moves wide of the post. Moments later, Getafe make their third and final change with Colunga replacing Ciprian. No change in formation for the capital outfit.

Barcelona make their third and final change of the evening with Alex Song replacing Fabregas, who has been the star of the show at the Camp Nou. The home side continue to utterly dominate possession as we enter the latter stages. Another goal would more than likely end this tie ahead of the second leg.

CHANCE! It's wonderful from Messi as the Argentine drives down the left before crossing towards Pedro, but the Spaniard cannot rise that extra inch to head home from close range. It has only been a cameo, but Messi looks like he has never been away. Little over five minutes of the second period remaining.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Barcelona more than happy to keep possession of the ball in the Getafe half. It is almost like a training exercise as the away side continue to chase shadows with 86 minutes on the clock.

Opportunity for Barcelona to threaten from a free kick as Juan Rodriguez picks up a yellow card for fouling Messi on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Messi, but his effort is straight into the wall.

It just had to happen didn't it?! Messi makes a scoring return to the team as he converts from close range following bright work from Montoya inside the area. Simple finish for the Argentine.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the third of those. The home side have another chance from a free kick, but Messi's effort smashes into the side netting. That would have been spectacular.

Stunning, just stunning. Messi scores his second of the match in the final minute as he ends a mazy run by finishing in the top corner. What a return to action.

So there we have it. Messi and Fabregas both score twice as Barcelona record a 4-0 win over Getafe in the first leg. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more Copa del Rey football tomorrow. Good evening!