original title:
Spanish Copa del Rey: Barça struggle to eliminate third-tier teams to progress to the round of 16
Xinhua News Agency, Madrid, January 4. (Xie Yuzhi) The 2022-2023 Copa del Rey round of 16 will continue on the 4th. Barcelona fought hard for 120 minutes, defeated third division side Intercity by 4: 3 on the road and moved into the top 16.
Just 4 minutes into the game, Araujo scored with a header from the edge of the box. In the 59th minute Soldevilla of Intercity received a header from his team-mate, carried him over and shot into the net from close range, leveling the score at 1:1.
In the 66th minute, Barcelona took the lead again: Dembele dribbled in the penalty area and kicked into the net. But in the 74th minute Soldevila’s header leveled the score at 2:2.
In the 77th minute, Barcelona cooperated in the frontcourt and Rafinha slotted the ball into the goal from close range, which again outscored Barcelona’s score. In the 86th minute Inter stole the ball in the backcourt and launched a quick counter-attack: Soldevila burst into the penalty area with the ball and managed to push, helping the home side equalize for the third time and dragging the match to the half additional. .
In the first half of extra time, Barcelona launched a wild attack and scored another goal in the 103rd minute to seal the victory: Fati shot into the net close to the penalty spot, helping Barcelona eliminate their opponents and enter the top 16.
In the day’s other matches, La Liga sides Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Mallorca defeated their respective opponents to advance, with only Valladolid being eliminated by Alaves.
