Mitch Freeley

Match Report

Barcelona march on to the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla with a 2-0 win over Valencia on Thursday evening, a game in which Phillipe Coutinho scored his first goal for his side. The Catalans didn't have it all their own way in the first half, and the home side looked the most likely to score early on. A shot from Francis Coquelin was an early signal of intent from Los Che. Marcelino's set up to counter Barca and should have of perhaps taken an early lead in the 13th minute. José Luis Gayà clipped in a cross for Rodrigo, his header was timed however it crashed against the woodwork. 

Barcelona weathered the storm and created only one real chance of note in the first 45, Leo Messi saw his curling effort skim just wide. The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate. The introduction of Phillipe Coutinho at half-time was pivotal for Ernesto Valverde's team. Minutes after the restart, the record signing from Liverpool bagged his first goal for the Catalans. A well-placed cross from Luis Suarez found a stretching Coutinho who knocked the ball into the opposite corner on the volley to wrong-foot keeper Jaume. A memorable first goal for the Brazillian international. 

Valencia needed three goals to have any chance of progressing, and should of scored had Cillessen not pulled off a spectacular point-blank save to deny Gaya. With Valencia pushing numbers forward, Luis Suarez stole the ball off defender Gabriel, and squared the ball to Rakitić. The Croatian international made no mistake drilling the ball into the bottom corner, sealing a record fifth consecutive Copa del Rey final. As for Valencia, they slumped to their sixth consecutive defeat.  

Live Action

90+2- Full time! 

84-  The January signing that didn't cost lots of money AKA Yerry Mina replaces Pique for his Barca debut! 

81- GAME OVER!  Goal! 2-0 Barca! Great work from Suarez to steal the ball from Gabriel- He finds Rakitić who rolls the ball into the back of the net. Barca will be making their record fifth Copa del Rey final. 

80- Way over from Messi! A frankly shocking freekick from one of the world's greatest players. 

79- Rakitić is bundled down by Kondogbia. Messi is over the freekick. 

78- Replay time! That was some save some Cillessen to throw out a hand to stop Gaya. A fine stop from the Dutch keeper. 

73- Cillessen with an instinctive save to deny Gaya from close range. That was Valencia's best chance to pull one back. 

72- Chance for Coutinho! The January signing curves a shot into the arms of Jaume. 

71- The game is getting away from Valencia now, they need three goals but that doesn't look too likely. Barca are just playing keep ball at the minute. 

68- Barca on the breakaway! Suarez plays in Messi who is stopped by a world class tackle from Gabriel. The Catalans keep the ball and Ivan Rakitić has two chances to shoot. The second one goes well wide. 

65- Valencia Chance! Zaza picks out Guedes, his header flies inches over the crossbar. End to end stuff here! 

64- Just seen a replay of that. BOTH shots could be interpreted as handball. A let off for Valencia. 

61- Could have been 2-0! Suarez feeds Messi, but the Argentinian's shot rebounds into the path of Jordi Alba his effort cannon's into a defender, and the left bag shouts for handball. The referee points for a corner. 

55- Valencia needs three goals to have any hopes of progressing now. Substitute Gonçalo Guedes comes on for Coquelin and promptly smashes a shot wide. 

I feel very smug about this goal! 

51- For the record, I had a hunch Coutinho would notch tonight. I am feeling very smug right now.  

49- GOAL! Coutinhoooo! Barca are 1-0 up! Suarez puts an inch perfect cross in, Phillipe Coutinho slide in to aim the ball to the far post for his first Barca goal! Lovely stuff! 

47- Valencia with a chance! Tricky feed from Rodrigo, who shapes to shoot from just outside the box. His shot bounces off a Barca defender. The corner is wasted! 

Peeeep! We are back underway! 

Half time Sub! Andre Gomes has been subbed off! Big money signing Philipe Countinho replaces him. Told you he would come on! 

HALF TIME- First 45 minutes down. Valencia will be pleased with that half, troubled Barca on the break, and could have taken the lead if Rodrigo's header was a little lower. 0-0 

44- Side netting for Valencia, the ball falls to Kondogbia who smashes a shot inches wide. 

Not a nice tackle that... 

35- Rodrigo brings down Messi and picks up a yellow for his troubles. The Freekick from the Barca number 10 smashes into the wall

30- Pique to the rescue! The defender swoops in to knock the ball away from the onrushing Zaza. 

29- Messi shapes to shoot! His curled effort goes wide! Close! 

23- Vietto had a chance on the edge of the box for Valencia, but he's denied the space by the Barca defenders. 

18- Valencia are looking handy on the break here, Zaza sprints down the wing with intent, however, the Italian's cross is knocked away

13- Crossbar rattled! José Luis Gayà clips in a delicious cross for Rodrigo, his header was timed perfectly and crashes against the woodwork! The Valencia fans are liking this! 

11- Cross rebounds of Valencia defender Gabriel and straight into the arms of Jaume, Barca are ramping up the pressure.

8- Messi is standing over a deadball- Keeper Jaume acrobatically punches the top corner bound shot away. 

5- Shot Valencia! January signing Francis Coquelin plays a neat one-two with Zaza, his shot is easily saved by Cillessen

Kick-Off! We are underway at the Mestalla

We are minutes away from Kick-off can Barca make their fifth consecutive Copa del Rey final?!?

Team News

Former Arsenal man Gabriel waving to his adoring fans. The defender is going to have to play out of his skin to stop Messi & co tonight!  

Now for Barca! 

Look at that! Big money signing Phil Coutinho is on the bench! I wager he'll come on to make the difference in the second half! 

Team News! We have Team News! First up Valencia! 

January signing Francis Coquelin starts, and according to the graphic he's on the wing. Which is a little maverick! I like it! 

Preamble

Can Barcelona book their place in the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla this evening? The Blaugrana have a tricky away tie against a Valencia side who has impressed this season in La Liga. The second leg semi-final is finely poised, with Barca heading to Mestalla with a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from Luis Suarez. Earlier in the week, Ernesto Valverde called for his side to go for the win in Valencia, and not play for the draw, which erm seems fair. 

Despite flying high in the league, Valencia has stuttered in recent weeks losing three league games on the bounce including defeats to Real & Athletico Madrid. Los Che could be heartened by their last home performance against Barca in the league which ended in a 1-1 draw along with a phantom goal for Leo Messi. Fans at the Mestalla will certainly be hoping that Marcelino's men can battle back and make a game of it. 

The winners of the match will take on Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final, who sealed their place with a 3-1 aggregate win over Leganes. Franco Vázquez scored a last-gasp screamer. Which is well worth your viewing pleasure. 

Key Info

Venue: Mestalla Stadium, Valencia

KO- 23:30 Mecca

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