)
Ansu Fati the hero as Barcelona needs a miracle to knock out 3rd division InterCity in Copa del Rey
Barcelona returned to action in the Copa Del Rey for the first time since the break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Barcelona needed extra time to defeat InterCity 4-3 at the Estadio Antonio Solana, Alicante on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
It took Barcelona just four minutes to go in front in the round of 32 fixture when Ronald Araujo converted a corner kick by Pablo Torre.
Returning from the halftime break with the lead, Barcelona continued to ask questions of Inter City.
It was the third-division side that would score the equalizer in the 59th minute when Oriol Soldevilla Puig capitalized on a mistake.
In the 66th minute, Ousmane Dembele latched on to a ball by Gavi to put Barcelona back in front.
)
Soldevilla Puig scored again in the 74th minute to equalize for InterCity. Just three minutes later, Raphinha converted a cross by Jordi Alba to put Barcelona back in front.
Barcelona tried holding on for the win but Soldevilla Puig completed his hat trick in the 86th minute to force extra time.
Ansu Fati scored the only goal in extra time to give Barcelona the win as they progressed to the next round.
Xavi trends as Barcelona struggle against InterCity
Following the victory, Barcelona rose to the top of the trends on social media.
Barcelona fans were full of praise for Ansu Fati who came off the bench to score the winning goal.
)
Ferran Torres suffered criticism for his performance before he was taken off. Head Coach Xavi rose to the top of the trends following his comments speaking to the media.
He said, "Our game is good. Against Espanyol, the first 15-30 minutes were brilliant.
"Intercity it's a team from a lower category and we had to dominate the game, we did it, but we suffered too much, we have to close the games earlier, it's the same as against Espanyol.
"I'm satisfied with the game, but we lacked effectiveness. We need to be more effective both in defense and in attack to decide the games.
"We know what the Cup is like, the rivals are extra-motivated, everything costs, we have made the game difficult for ourselves.
“We have been playing well but we are still lacking effectiveness. In general terms, I'm satisfied."
Barcelona returns to action away against Atletico Madrid in a La Liga fixture scheduled for Sunday, January 8, 2023.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)