Barcelona welcomed Cordoba to the Nou Camp on Thursday holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg of the fifth-round Copa del Rey clash between the two sides.
The Catalan outfit were in fine form in the first period as they raced into a three-goal lead through Thiago and a David Villa double.
It was four early in the second period when Alexis Sanchez headed home from close range and he had his second in the final moments to make it 5-0 on the night.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage of the action below.
Evening all! Our final Copa del Rey commentary of the evening comes from Barcelona as the Catalan outfit welcome Segunda Division side Cordoba to the Camp Nou. Barcelona secured their passage to this stage with a 6-1 aggregate win over Deportivo Alaves and are the strong favourites to advance to the next stage of the competition.
Barcelona enter the match fresh from a 4-0 win over Espanyol at the weekend, a result that continued their sensational run of form in La Liga. They have won 17 of their 18 league matches, scoring 61 goals in the process. Lionel Messi, who does not take part this evening, won a record fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or on Monday and scored twice in the first leg.
Cordoba, meanwhile, currently occupy 12th place in their respective division. They enter the match off the back of a 0-0 draw with Mirandes on Sunday. However, they advanced to this stage of the competition with a 4-2 aggregate win over Real Sociedad and have therefore demonstrated that they can compete at this level.
TEAMS:
BARCELONA: Pinto; Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Montoya; Fabregas, Song, Thiago; Roberto, Villa, Sanchez
CORDOBA: Saizar; Fuentes, Fernandez, Alberto, Lopez; Caballero, Lopez, Fede, Dubarbier; Joselu, Vico
So there we have it. Barcelona name a strong team this evening with Carlos Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and David Villa all starting. However, Lionel Messi is given a rest. Cordoba name a full-strength team, meanwhile, with Joselu giving the task of leading their line. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. I just cannot see any possible way how Barcelona do not win this match comfortably. The home side get the action underway.
Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova is not present to guide his team into the quarter-finals this evening as he sees a specialist in New York over his illness. It goes without saying that everyone at Sports Mole wishes him the best in his on-going recovery. Barcelona take control of the early possession as expected.
There are eight changes to the Barcelona team this evening, but one player who will be keen to impress is David Villa. The Spaniard is their second top scorer this season behind Messi, but has found first-team chances limited in recent weeks. Half-chance for the home side early on as Sanchez bursts through the middle, but Mikel Saizar comes out to make a fine save.
Cordoba, as mentioned, are currently 12th in their league. They are just four points from the top seven, which would be enough to secured a playoff position at the end of the season. They have made a decent start to this match, but Barcelona continue to dominate possession with Fabregas and Song seeing plenty of the ball.
Fabregas is playing as the central of the three attackers for Barcelona this evening, with Villa and Sanchez occupying the wings. The home team continue to dominate the ball, but have thus far been unable to test the goalkeeper with any intent. Fairly encouraging opening eight minutes from the away side.
Half-chance for the home side to take the lead as Montoya dances into the penalty area before firing a low cross into the box, but Juan Fuentes just manages to clear the danger ahead of Fabregas. The pressure remains from the resulting corner, but Siazar collects the high ball. Decent crowd and indeed atmosphere inside the Camp Nou this evening.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe in midfield with Thiago, Fabregas and Song all involved in a tight area. It is eventually worked down the right to Villa, but solid pressure from the away side forces the Catalan outfit into a mistake. A Dani Alves cross comes into the box moments later, but Alberto thumps clear.
Barcelona have comfortably had 80% of the possession inside the opening 14 minutes, as expected, but thus far Cordoba have limited them to a couple of half-chances. A goal for the away side would certainly ruffle a few feathers. A reminder that the winner of this match will face Malaga in the next round.
CHANCE! First real chance of the match for the home side as Fabregas dances into the penalty area before striking an effort on goal, but Saizar stands up and makes a fine save. The resulting corner comes into the area via Thiago, but once more the away goalkeeper collects.
What about the situation regarding Dani Alves? There are suggestions that the Brazilian may be available with Adriano now considered as the first choice in that particular position. There has reportedly been some movement from the Premier League. He is some player. Still nothing much from Cordoba with 17 minutes on the clock, but the score remains 0-0.
It's good feet from Fede as the Cordoba midfielder picks up possession before evading the challenge of Song, but he cannot find the final pass towards Joselu and the danger is cleared. Barcelona work the ball down the other end towards Alves, but the Brazilian had taken up an offside position.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Cordoba (Thiago)
Barcelona finally open the scoring on the evening as Song finds Thiago in the final third, the Brazilian collects possession before turning and finding the bottom corner. Cordoba just handed the home side possession outside the box. That is the last thing that they would have wanted.
It is all one-way traffic at the moment with Fabregas coming deep to collect possession, the former Arsenal midfielder finds Villa just outside the box, but Alberto is across to clear the danger. Cordoba attempt to counter down the other end, but Dubarbier is denied by a challenge from Alves.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Barcelona to score their second of the evening as Fabregas finds Sanchez in the final third, but the winger can only clip his effort straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. However, the pressure continues with Villa.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Cordoba (Villa)
It is a stunning goal from Villa as the Spanish striker collects possession out wide before evading one challenge and chipping his effort into the far corner. That is a finish of the highest order. He is reminding us why he should be in the Barcelona first team for the big occasions.
It's a good response from the away side as Vico collects possession before dancing past Alves, but the Brazilian defender fouls the striker. The resulting set piece is taken by Dubarbier, but Puyol rises highest to clear the danger. You have to fear for the away side with 24 minutes on the clock and 2-0 behind.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Cordoba (Villa)
Barcelona come clos seconds before as Alves advances down the right, but his final pass towards Sanchez is poor and the danger is cleared. The pressure remains as Villa picks up possession inside the box and he smashes his effort into the back of the net from close range.
You have to fear for the away side with more than an hour of football to play in this match. Barcelona have simply turned them over thus far. It will be interesting to see whether Villa's goals this evening secure him a spot in the team against Malaga at the weekend. I suspect that he will once more be on the bench.
Barcelona continue to utterly dominate the possession as we surpass the 30-minute mark in the match. The only ball Cordoba have managed in the last few moments has been with their goalkeeper. Just a reminder of the situation, Cordoba need to score six goals without reply in order to advance to the next round. Any takers?! Didn't think so.
Another half-chance for the home side as Sanchez rolls a ball beyond the Cordoba defence towards Fabregas, the Spaniard darts into the penalty area, but a last-ditch challenge from Fernandez clears the danger. This is as one-sided a football match as I have ever seen.
CROSSBAR! Barcelona come within a whisker of their fourth of the evening as Thiago bends a powerful effort from outside the box, but it rattles off the crossbar. Another half-chance arrives moments later through Alves, but the Brazilian fires over the target from close range.
Rare attack for the away side as Lopez fires a searching pass towards Joselu on the right, however, the striker's ball into the penalty area is poor and the danger is cleared. Sanchez darts into the penalty area down the other end, but he is taken out by a sniper in the crowd as the referee waves play on.
Best moment of the match for Cordoba as Fede fires a high cross into the penalty area, but Joselu's header is just pushed over the crossbar. The resulting corner is taken by Alberto, but the delivery is poor as the cross fails to beat the first man. Slight signs of encouragement for the away side. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Half-chance for Barcelona to add their fourth of the evening as Fabregas attempts to beat Saizar from just inside the opposing half, but the goalkeeper takes a couple of steps backwards before gathering the danger. That really would have been something special. Plenty of possession for the home side, but no real chances in the past few moments.
Cordoba force another corner as Song is forced to clear behind his own goal, but Mascherano collects before releasing Fabregas down the right, the midfielder in turn finds Sanchez, but the Chilean slips in the penalty area. Meanwhile, it appears that Alves has a slight problem here as he grabs hold of his knee.
After a brief period of treatment Alves is deemed fit to continue and returns to the field. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of football at the end of the half. Half-chance for Cordoba late on as Joselu collects a long pass from Lopez, but he cannot find the target.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 3-0 Cordoba (5-0 on aggregate)
So there we have it. Three goals in the opening period hand Barcelona a 3-0 lead on the night. Meanwhile, they lead Cordoba 5-0 on aggregate. Any backers for the away side in the second period? Not too many I should assume.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Barcelona have dominated 67% of the possession and have managed 11 attempts on goal. That is in contrast to the away side who have managed just the one attempt off-target. In truth, it could have been more than 3-0 at the break.
Looking further ahead into the competition. As mentioned, the winner of this match will face Malaga in the next round. The winner of that quarter-final will face the winner of Real Madrid versus Valencia in the last four. This is certainly the difficult half of the draw. Atletico Madrid might fancy themselves to make the final on the other side.
Looking ahead to the second period. Barcelona just took their foot off the pedal in the latter stages of the half, but who can blame them with a 3-0 scoreline. You just hope that Cordoba continue to improve in the second period, or they could be on the end of a real hiding. The last thing they want to see is Messi entering the field of play. We are just a couple of moments away from the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Two changes for Barcelona at the interval with Tello and Bartra replacing Puyol and Fabregas. I am going to make a prediction for the match. I am going to back a 5-0 scoreline. Let's see if I get anywhere near. Cordoba get the second half underway.
Lively start to the second half with both sides enjoying possession of the ball in advanced areas. Fede gathers the ball outside the Barcelona box, but once more he cannot find the final pass. Meanwhile, early change for the away side as Vico is replaced by Cristian.
Half-chance for the home side as Tello dances past two challenges before driving into the penalty area, but Alberto demonstrates good experience as he gets his body in the way and the ball moves out for a goal kick. The two changes at the interval for Barcelona means that the chances of seeing Messi in the second period are slim. Luckily for Cordoba.
Barcelona continue to dominate possession in the early stages of the second period. However, it appears that they may be forced into another change as Roberto pulls up in the middle of the pitch. The obvious choice would be Jonathan Dos Santos. I do not suspect that Barcelona will risk Roberto's fitness for this particular match.
The change is indeed made with Dos Santos being introduced. That means no Messi, Alba or Busquets in this match. Nice evening of the rest for the duo ahead of the weekend's trip to Malaga. Glorious chance for Sanchez to add Barcelona's fourth as he rounds the goalkeeper outside the box, but somehow he fires his effort wide of the target.
Sanchez is involved once more as the Chilean dances down the right before forcing a low cross into the box, but the danger is cleared for a corner. Song collects the resulting set piece on the edge of the box before attempting to chip the goalkeeper, but Saizar just manages to palm over the crossbar.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Cordoba (Sanchez)
And there it is. Sanchez finally has his goal as the Chilean meets a cross from Thiago before thumping his header into the back of the net. Successful evening for Barcelona with Villa and Sanchez both among the goals this evening. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona lead 4-0 on the night.
Another half-chance for Sanchez to add his second in quick succession as Alves whips a low cross into the penalty box, but he cannot make proper contact and the danger is cleared. Fede embarks on a run down the other end, but Barta comes across to clear for a throw.
Cordoba continue to chase shadows as Barcelona pass and probe across the pitch. This really could get much worse in the remaining 30 minutes of football. I know this is a team in the lower regions of Spanish football, but Barcelona have been so impressive this evening. It has also further highlighted the depth of their squad. They must be the favourites to secure another treble this season.
The away side make their second change of the evening as Pedro replaces Dubarbier. It would probably be fair to say that Rafa Berges's focus is now on their league match at the weekend. Their form has really tailed off in recent weeks. Tonight will not have handed them too much confidence.
Again it's sensational football from the home side as Dos Santos dances past two challenges before finding Villa in the penalty area, but this time the striker cannot find the back of the net as he fires over from close range. Where was the defending? The Cordoba players simply backed off. They will want to get this match over and done with as soon as possible.
Finally a strike on goal from the away side as Cristian picks up possession before firing an effort at Valdes, but the Barcelona goalkeeper is comfortable in dealing with the danger. That is their first effort on goal. It has only taken 67 minutes. Barcelona are going through the motions at the moment as they control possession.
CHANCE! Best opportunity of the match by some distance for the away side as Pedro dances into the penalty area before releasing a powerful strike on goal, but Valdes manages to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Lopez, but it fails to beat the first man. Much better from Cordoba.
Half-chance for Barcelona this time as Dos Santos strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the target with Saizar static. Meanwhile, third and final change for the away side as Caballero is replaced by Rennella. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance for Dos Santos as the midfielder is set up outside the area by Thiago, but once more he cannot find the target as his effort moves past the post. Cordoba have certainly improved in the second period, but Barcelona's level was also dropped. The damage was all done in the first period.
Again it's a sight of goal for the away side as Armando meets a corner from Cristian, but he can only head over the crossbar. Barcelona launch a quick counter down the other end with Tello, but his final pass is poor and the danger is cleared. Not too many chances to report in the past five minutes or so.
Villa appears to have a slight problem here as he holds his hamstring. What an incredible blow that would be for the Spaniard. In truth, this match has lost its way in the past few moments with neither side particularly impressive in possession. Little over 10 minutes of football to play at the Nou Camp. A reminder that Barcelona will face Malaga in the next round of the competition.
Decent possession for Cordoba in the past few moments with Lopez and Fede combining on the edge of the box. Pedro eventually strikes an effort, but it moves high of the crossbar via a deflection. The resulting corner is taken by Alberto, but Pedro is adjudged to have fouled Pinto.
Awkward one for the away side's goalkeeper as an Alves effort deflects high into the box, but Saizar manages to gather under the challenge from Villa. The Spaniard attempts to start a counter for his side with Pedro, but the winger cannot evade Alves and Barcelona have possession once more.
Wonderful effort from Thiago as the Spanish midfielder strikes from the edge of the box, but it just moves high of the crossbar. The goalkeeper was getting nowhere near that strike. Little over five minutes of football remaining and Barcelona go in search of their fifth of the evening.
CHANCE! Oh my word! It should be five for Barcelona as Sanchez advances into the box before rounding Saizar, but somehow he slips at the vital moment and suddenly the chance is gone. However, you feel that he might get one more opportunity in the latter stages.
GOAL! Barcelona 5-0 Cordoba (Sanchez)
Sanchez does indeed get that chance and he takes it. It's good work from Alves down the right as the Brazilian finds Tello, the winger's shot is saved by the goalkeeper, but Sanchez bundles the ball into the back of the net.
Barcelona continue to dominate possession in the final moments with Sanchez causing problems with his pace and direct running. The Chilean goes in search of this third as he darts into the penalty area, but the offside flag is raised and the chance is gone.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of football at the end of the match. Fede thought that he might have had a penalty when he was challenged by Mascherano in the box, but the referee waved play on.
Little over one minute of football to play in this match and Barcelona have control of the possession. Just a final reminder that they will face Malaga in the next stage of the competition. They will also face their fellow Champions League side this weekend away from home.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 5-0 Cordoba (7-0 on aggregate)
So there we have it. Barcelona book their spot in the next round with a 7-0 aggregate win over Cordoba. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more Spanish football this weekend. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
