Munir El Haddadi scores twice as Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0
Barcelona: Barcelona ended a three-game series of derbies against Espanyol on top by sealing their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals 6-1 on aggregate courtesy of a 2-0 win at Cornella-El Prat.
Fresh from picking up his record fifth Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi was once again Barca’s inspiration on Tuesday as he brilliantly picked out Munir El Haddadi to open the scoring before the youngster tapped home his second of the night later on.
There was less aggression on the field than in the previous two meetings between the sides in the past 10 days, however Espanyol could be punished for offensive banners towards Colombian popstar Shakira – the partner of Barca defender Gerard Pique – and Luis Suarez.
Athletic Bilbao, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas also booked their place in the last eight to join Sevilla and Mirandes, who qualified on Tuesday, for Friday’s quarter-final draw.
La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid host Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday tied at 1-1, whilst Gary Neville’s Valencia have one foot in the quarters as they lead Granada 4-0.
“Today everything was a lot calmer, partly because of the result,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. “The only game that got out of hand was the first, but I am not the one to analyse it. The second had what a derby should have and in the third it was harder for them to press us. “When one side plays to an elevated level it eventually wears them down.” Suarez was banned for confronting Espanyol players in the tunnel after last week’s first-leg in which the visitors had two men sent-off. Enrique also handed Neymar, Pique, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta a rest, but Messi captained the side just two days after regaining his title of World Player of the Year.
Francesco Bardi produced a brilliant save to prevent the Argentine opening the scoring with a fierce volley on 11 minutes.
However, the Espanyol ‘keeper was left helpless when Haddadi galloped onto Messi’s inch-perfect through ball to round Bardi before slotting into the net.
Gonzalez unceremoniously chopped down Messi and Caicedo charged into Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the game threatened to boil over. (AFP)