FC Barcelona moved in for the ninth Time in a row to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. The Catalans have developed their own record series. After Barça had lost the quarter-final first leg at FC Sevilla 0:2, the table leader of the Primera División in the return game 6:1 (2:0). Was headed to Barcelona once more by Superstar Lionel Messi.

In the first leg did not coach Ernesto Valverde to a few of the regular players. Messi was not at the defeat in Seville changes in the squad, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suárez sat first on the bench and was a late substitute. For Kevin-Prince Boateng made his starting lineup debut – without success.

In the return game, Boateng did not play, but watched from the bench as his team with all the offensive stars in the early formation excelled. Coutinho brought Barça early on by foul penalty in the lead (13.), Ivan Rakitic regardless of the first leg result is materialized before the break (31.). To increased at the beginning of the second half, Coutinho (53 again.) and Sergi Roberto after good work from Messi (55.) with a double strike on 4:0.

Messi’s late Jubiläumstor

Guilherme Arana (68.) only the consolation goal for Sevilla managed before Suaréz (89.) and Messi (90.+2) for the final score. For Messi it was in 69. Game in the Copa del Rey already in the 50. Hit. So he has been overtaken in the all-time best list in the competition, Ferenc Puskas and is now the sole sixth place. Top scorer in the Copa is Zarra, who scored between 1939 and 1957, 81 hit, and with Athletic Bilbao five times European Cup winners.

It was the second Time this season that Barça in the Copa after a first-leg defeat by a home win in the return game betting. In the first knockout round, the Catalans 1:2 UD Levante had lost, and were then fed through a 3:0 victory in the quarter-finals.

in addition to Barcelona, FC Valencia and Sevilla’s city rivals Real Betis are already in place as a semi-finalist of the Spanish Cup competition. The fourth participant in the semi-final round will be determined on Thursday between Girona FC and Real Madrid. The first leg has been won by Real in the home, the Santiago Bernabéu, 4:2.

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Sam Yoon
Sam Yoon has many years of experiences in journalism. He has covered such areas as information technology, science, sports and politics. Yoon can be reached at 82-2-6956-6698.