FC Barcelona – Levante: Deluge of goals and to the semi-finals (5-1)

Reaching seven Cup semi-finals in eight years isn’t something a lot of teams can achieve, but Barça have done it. Tata Martino’s men claimed their spot in the penultimate round of the competition thanks to this evening’s 5-1 scoreline against Levante. The intense rain that fell on Barcelona wasn’t an obstacle for Adriano, Puyol, Alexis (2) and Cesc, all of whom got on the scoresheet against the Valencia-based side.

Levante take the lead

Vyntra, after only eight minutes of play, got on the end of corner kick and headed the ball into the path of Sergi Roberto, who unfortunately nudged the ball into the back of his own net. It was a setback for Barça, who only created danger through Montoya’s runs down the right flank and Iniesta’s incisive passes. It wasn’t until the 27th minute that Barça drew level thanks to an extraordinary shot from Adriano from long range.

Eternal captain

Despite the weather the Catalans were playing their usual style of football and the second goal was close. Puyol, who was playing an impeccable game at the back, headed home a corner to make it 2-1. It was a necessary goal for the captain, and the Blaugrana went to the break with a one-goal advantage.

Levante give two goals away

Just at the start of the second half, Barça scored two more goals. The 3-1 and 4-1. Both of them netted by an attentive Alexis. The first came when a bad clearance from Jiménez ended up on the boot of the Chilean. The second came after a shot from Adriano was diverted to the post and fell into the path of the South American forward.

Minutes later Cesc Fàbregas got on the scoresheet. The Catalan, on 68 minutes, broke through Levante’s defensive lines and made it 5-1 with a right-footed shot.

Absolute dominance

In the final minutes, with Afellay on the pitch, the flow of the match didn’t change. Levante barely crossed the halfway line and Martino’s men were eager to score their sixth. The referee blew the final whistle with 5-1 on the scoreboard (agg 9-2), which means the Blaugrana secured their seventh Cup semi-final berth in eight years, a historic feat.