Barca narrowly beat a fourth-division club.

Spain, the reigning La Liga champions, continued their lackluster form with a hard-fought 3-2 victory away at Barbastro in the round of 16 of the Spanish King's Cup.

Barca are predicted to win convincingly at Gminny Stadium on January 7th due to the significant difference in class and squad depth between the two teams. Barca is the most traditional club in the history of the Copa del Rey with 31 titles, eight more than the next-ranked club, Bilbao. Xavi's team is also the reigning champion of La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.

Lewandowski scored a penalty to make it 3-1 as Barcelona defeated fourth-division side Barbastro in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey at the Gminny stadium on January 7th. Photo: FC Barcelona

Meanwhile, Barbastro – a club founded in 1934 – is competing in the Segunda Federacion, or officially known as Segunda B, the fourth tier in the Spanish football league system, which consists of 90 teams divided into five groups.

In the most recent round of the Copa del Rey, Barbastro caused a shock by beating Almeria – another La Liga representative – thanks to a single goal from Franc Carbonell. But not many people expected this club to continue to spring surprises against Barca.

At the Gminny stadium yesterday, Barca dominated possession with 73%, 24 shots with 11 on target. However, they continued to show problems in both attack and defense, scoring only three goals and conceding two from three shots on target to Barbastro.

After the opening whistle, the visitors maintained pressure and took the lead in the 18th minute. Raphinha raced down the right wing and crossed the ball for Fermin Lopez to volley in with his left foot into the far corner, opening the scoring. Lopez scored three goals in 19 appearances, becoming the first Barca player to score in three competitions this season: La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.

Fermin Lopez celebrates the opening goal in Barcelona's 3-2 victory over Barbastro in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey on January 7th. Photo: FC Barcelona

In the 51st minute, from a cross from the left wing by 17-year-old defender Hector Fort, Raphinha rushed in and finished from close range to double the lead. Less than ten minutes later, Barbastro unexpectedly narrowed the gap. From a scramble in the penalty area, striker Adria de Mesa quickly connected with a shot and beat goalkeeper Inaki Pena.

In the 87th minute, the visitors restored their two-goal lead when substitute striker Robert Lewandowski's header struck the hand of defender Barbastro, giving Barca a penalty. The Polish striker himself took responsibility for the penalty and struck it low into the right corner, contrary to Arnau Fabrega's prediction.

But Barca still left the Gminny Stadion Sportowy with a narrow victory. In the second minute of added time, it was Barbastro's turn to be awarded a penalty when Fermin Lopez committed a foul in the penalty area. From the penalty spot, Marc Prat shot powerfully into the middle, while Inaki Pena deflected to the right. But the home side couldn't find an equalizer in the remaining time.

Starting lineup :

Barbastro : Fabrega, Garcia, Jaime, Mingotes, Carbonell (Reques 66), Gasco, Garcia (Crespo 66), Bautista (Soule 46), Gonpi (Val), Javito, De Mesa Garrido (Prat 71).

Barca : Pena, Christensen (Martinez 64, Roberto 75), Araujo, Fort, Kounde, Romeu (Gundogan 72), De Jong, Lopez, Torres, Felix (Lewandowski 72), Raphinha (Roque 64).

Hong Duy

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