Barcelona recorded a 1-0 victory over 10-man Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on Wednesday night to book their spot in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
The Catalan outfit are the most successful side in the history of the competition, having lifted the trophy on 31 occasions, and they won the contest courtesy of a second-half effort from Ousmane Dembele.
Barcelona had a half-chance in the ninth minute when Dembele picked out Robert Lewandowski with a clever pass, but the Poland international's goal-bound effort was blocked.
The home side then had the ball in the back of the Real Sociedad net in the 11th minute, but the effort was chalked off, as Frenkie de Jong was in an offside position, with a strike from Lewandowski hitting the Dutchman before dropping past the away side's goalkeeper Alex Remiro.
Dembele was causing problems with his pace and movement, and the Frenchman bent one just wide of the away side's goal in the 17th minute after driving to the edge of the penalty box.
De Jong then poked a cross from Dembele wide of the Real Sociedad post in the 20th minute, with the home side in control of the contest.
The visitors came close to registering on the 30-minute mark, though, with Takefusa Kubo crashing an effort off the crossbar after being found by Pablo Marin in a dangerous area.
© Reuters
Real Sociedad were reduced to 10 men late in the first period, with Brais Mendez shown a red card for standing on the leg of Sergio Busquets in what was a rash challenge.
Jules Kounde then curled one wide of the away side's goal late in the first period, with the two teams entering the half-time interval all square after a half that was dominated by Barcelona.
Xavi's side managed to make the breakthrough in the 52nd minute, though, with Dembele collecting a pass from Kounde before finding the back of the net with a powerful effort; Real Sociedad goalkeeper Remiro got a touch on the ball at the near post but was unable to keep it out.
Alexander Sorloth should have levelled for the visitors on the hour, but the forward somehow put his effort over the crossbar after smart work from Kubo.
Gavi then hit the woodwork for Barcelona after collecting a pass from the impressive Dembele.
Real Sociedad had two opportunities to level late on, but Robert Navarro saw his effort saved by Barcelona stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, before the German kept out a strike from Jon Ander Olasagasti, with the home side advancing to the final four.
Next up for Barcelona is a trip to Girona in La Liga on Saturday, while Real Sociedad will be bidding to return to winning ways when they head to Real Madrid on Sunday.
Matt Law
