Barcelona ease past fourth-tier Barbastro to reach Copa del Rey last 16

Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona sailed through to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey with an easy 4-0 win over fourth-tier Barbastro.

Barcelona, who named a full strength line-up to against their opponents from Aragon, went 2-0 up by the half-hour mark courtesy of goals from Eric Garcia and Lewandowski.

The away side showed no mercy in the second half and were quickly out of sight two minutes after the interval thanks to Lewandowski’s 25th goal of the season, before Pablo Torre rubber-stamped Barca’s place in the next round.

Barcelona started the game in strong fashion against their Segunda B opponents. Pedri caused problems down the right and sent in a cross which Lewandowski headed narrowly wide.

Barbastro goalkeeper Arnau Fabrega was soon forced into action for the first time to stop Ronald Araujo’s header from going in.

Barcelona had their breakthrough in the 21st minute – Frenkie de Jong’s diagonal ball into the box was headed back across goal by Araujo and Garcia was on hand to nod into the net.

The visitors doubled their advantage 10 minutes later through Lewandowski.

Sito Barrera brought Jules Kounde down outside the area and Torre’s teasing cross was headed in via a deflection by the Poland striker.

Barbastro’s first effort on target came shortly after as Javito decided to have a crack from distance, but his shot was easily dealt with by Wojciech Szczesny, who was making his Barcelona debut.

Barca continued to push and Torre’s cross again caused problems for Barbastro but Kounde was unable to guide his headed effort on target.

Barcelona scored their third less two minutes after the break.

Fermin Lopez’s pass was flicked on by Torre who put Lewandowski through on goal and he expertly dispatched into the back of the net.

Torre then got himself on the scoresheet in the 56th minute largely thanks to a goalkeeping mistake.

A back pass was accepted by Fabrega but the Barbastro goalkeeper’s intended pass was fluffed straight into the path of Torre and he took a touch and lifted it home.

Hansi Flick rang the changes late on and Ansu Fati almost got in on the act after he stepped off the bench – he was denied twice by Fabrega, firstly from outside the area before his effort from close range was well met by the Barbastro goalkeeper.

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