FC Barcelona have beaten Sevilla FC to win their 28th Copa Del Rey title and complete the league and cup double.
Barcelona win Copa del Rey
Clear-cut chances were unusually few and far between in the opening half an an hour of the Spanish Cup final. However, the game burst into life when Barcelona centre-back Javier Mascherano was sent off for a tactical foul on Kevin Gameiro, as the Argentine ran clear through on goal. From the resulting free-kick Marc-Andre Ter Stegen pulled off a wonder save to deny Éver Banega‘s effort.
Barcelona’s best chance of the first-half came when Gerard Piqué had a free header on goal but the 29-year-old failed to hit the target.
Five minutes into the second half Éver Banega’s shot was deflected on to the post as Sevilla continued their to dominate the game. Barcelona were further constrained when virtuoso striker Luis Suárez was forced off injured on 56 minutes and was replaced by Rafinha.
The remainder of the second half was very highly charged but again lacked clear cut chances for either side. Late drama ensued as Éver Banega was sent off for bringing down Neymar as he closed in on goal. Lionel Messi, however failed to find the target as his shot was tipped over by Sergio Rico.
Tempers flared soon after as Sevilla midfielder Iborra was booked for an inadvertent kick on Ter-Stegen which enraged Barcelona defender Jérémy Mathieu.
The match went into extra-time after the sides couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes. Then, eight minutes in to the extra-time period, Messi produced a wonderful ball that was calmly finished by Jordi Alba to give Barcelona the lead, arguably against the run of play. The goal was Alba’s first of the season. Seven minutes later Barcelona had a fantastic chance to double their lead as Gerard Pique—who had arguably been man of the match—again had a free header but it was stopped magnificently by Sergio Rico.
From the resulting corner, Rico pulled off a fantastic double save, first stopping Dani Alves and then Sergio Busquets effort from the rebound. Sevilla defender Carrico then became the third player to be sent off in the match after a late challenge on Lionel Messi.
Despite Sevilla’s late pressure Barcelona doubled their lead as Neymar calmly finished to make it 2-0 to seal Barcelona’s 28th Spanish Cup title.
