Valdepeñas 4-6 Barça: Straight into the semis
Barça showed tremendous character in Valdepeñas, overturning deficits of 3-1 and 4-3 before producing a brilliant finish (4-6) to wrap up the tie at the first opportunity. Inter Movistar now await.
Pito strikes first
The blaugranes' intentions were clear from the outset: come out with intensity, raise the tempo of the game, win it and seal qualification without the need for a third match. In the opening minutes, that seemed to be exactly what would happen. Catela had two very clear chances, but it was Pito who broke the deadloc, finishing off a fine team move.
Three goals in ten minutes
Barça's opener was a reflection of the play, whereas Valdepeñas found inspiration through goals that seemed to come out of nowhere. With no apparent danger, Naranjo caught Feixas out at the near post, and shortly afterwards misfortune struck when a José Mario shot took a deflection off Joao Víctor and found the net. The home side grew in confidence, and although a couple of excellent saves from Feixas delayed a third goal, Yáñez eventually made it 3-1. It was a critical moment.
Level in a minute
But Javi Rodríguez's side neither lost focus nor belief. Within a minute, the scores were level again. First, Joao Víctor broke in behind and beat the goalkeeper. Then Touré won a clear penalty, which Catela duly converted before half-time. After the break, the tempo dropped, and with it the number of chances.
Time to dig deep again
Even so, Antonio had a very clear opportunity, while Sergio González headed against the post. Dídac, for his part, produced a magnificent save, but the goalkeeper could do nothing about Valdepeñas' fourth goal when Nicolás got the better of Erick inside the area and found the back of the net. Barça, however, refused to panic. Instead, their quality came to the fore.
Into the semi-finals!
Joao Víctor turned a free-kick into a stunning goal, leaving three opponents on the floor, before Antonio placed the ball in the only spot beyond the goalkeeper's reach. In the space of a minute, the comeback was complete. The final blow arrived courtesy of Gauna's Argentine flair in the 38th minute, making it 4-6 and putting the tie beyond doubt. Barça are through to the Liga semi-finals, where they will face Inter Movistar for a place in the final.
MATCH STATS
Valdepeñas: 4
Barça: 6
Valdepeñas: Pato, Carrasco, Alex, Joao Silveira, Torres, Borja Puerta, José Mario, Alberto, Nicolás, Sinésio Jr, Naranjo, Yáñez, Lucas César, Ribeiro.
Barça: Feixas, Antonio, Touré, Catela, Pito, Dídac, Matheus, Miñano, Joao Víctor, Martel, Sergio González, Erick, Fits, Gauna.
Goals: 0-1, Pito (min. 2); 1-1, Naranjo (min. 4); 2-1, José Mario (min. 7); 3-1, Yáñez (min. 14); 3-2, Joao Víctor (min. 17); 3-3, Catela (min. 18); 4-3, Nicolás (min. 28); 4-4, Joao Víctor (min. 32); 4-5, Antonio (min. 33); 4-6, Luciano Gauna (min. 38)
Referees: Juan José Cordero, Pedro Antonio Carrillo.