Barcelona faced Sevilla in the 2016 Copa del Rey final on Sunday night in Madrid.
Neither side could make the breakthrough in the first 45 minutes, but Barcelona were reduced to 10 men in the latter stages of the first period when Javier Mascherano brought Kevin Gameiro to the deck.
Chances were few and far between in the second period, but there was another red card - this time for Ever Banega as the Sevilla midfielder fouled Neymar in the second minute of added time at the end of the 90.
It was Barcelona that came strong in extra-time and goals from Jordi Alba and Neymar ensured that the Catalan giants would win the competition for a 28th time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage for the 2015-16 season concludes tonight as Barcelona face Sevilla in the final. Both teams have already won major trophies this season and Sevilla will be desperate to upset the odds at the Vicente Calderon. Let's hope for a cracker in the capital!
Kickoff in Madrid is not actually until 9.30pm local time (8.30pm UK time), but be sure to remain with me for all of the build-up and indeed the team news, which is expected to land in the next hour or so. There are not expected to be any surprises in the Barcelona XI, but Sevilla have had a couple of niggles following the Europa League final. Tiredness could also be an issue for the Red and Whites.
There is no comparing the two teams in this competition, but in fairness to Sevilla, no side can compete with Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. The Catalan outfit have won this competition on 27 occasions and are the holders having overcome Basque outfit Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in last season's final. They also made the final in 2014, but lost out to Clasico rivals Real Madrid on that occasion.
Barcelona have been present in six of the last eight Copa del Rey finals – including tonight - and have picked up three trophies in the process. Sevilla, on the other hand, have won this competition on five occasions – the last of which came in 2010, when they beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 at the Camp Nou.
Sevilla have not actually lost a Copa del Rey final since 1962, when they were beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. There is no question that Unai Emery's side will enter tonight's match as the underdogs against the Spanish champions, but they have only lost one of their three clashes with Barcelona this season and that was a narrow 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou in February.
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As winners of the Champions League and Europa League respectively, Barcelona and Sevilla met in the UEFA Super Cup at the start of the season. An incredible match saw the two teams play out a 4-4 draw in normal time, but Barcelona scored through Pedro in stoppage time to win the clash in Georgia.
Sevilla recorded a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Barcelona to Seville in the league last October and that match was actually the start of a 39-game unbeaten run for the Catalan giants. Their last meeting, as mentioned, came at Camp Nou in February, with the home side running out 2-1 winners.
Despite Sevilla boasting a respectable record against Barcelona this season, history suggests that it will be very tough for Unai Emery's side tonight. Indeed, Barcelona have won nine of their last 14 meetings in all competitions and only lost once in the process. In fact, Sevilla have only beaten the Catalan giants once since the Spanish Super Cup in August 2010. Barcelona are big favourites here.
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There will be no Champions League title for Barcelona this season after their elimination to Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, but Luis Enrique's side managed to hold off pressure from Real Madrid to win La Liga once again. The title should have been sewn up a couple of months ago after a stunning run of form, but the race somehow went to the final weekend of the season.
In the middle of March, Barcelona were 15 points clear of Real Madrid in the La Liga table, but three successive defeats to Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Valencia in April threw the race wide open. Enrique's side managed to settle, however, and won their last five in the league to secure the title by one point. Atletico, meanwhile, ultimately fell short on the penultimate weekend of the season.
Barcelona will actually enter this match having scored 24 times in their last five matches and conceding zero. Not bad for a team that were in crisis! There will be no repeat of the treble from last season, but they still the chance to win a domestic double, which is certainly nothing to sniff about!
ROUTE TO THE FINAL! Barcelona actually drew 0-0 at lowly Villanovense in their first Copa del Rey game of the season, but they won the second leg 6-1 at Camp Nou to comfortably advance into the next round. Bitter rivals Espanyol were the team waiting, but it was again comfortable for Enrique's side, who won 4-1 at home and 2-0 away to breeze into the quarter-finals once again.
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Last season's finalists Bilbao were Barcelona's opponents in the last eight and a 2-1 victory at San Mames made the Catalan giants big favourites ahead of the second leg, which they won 3-1 on home soil to advance. Gary Neville's Valencia were the team waiting for Barcelona in the semi-finals and the first-leg result at the Camp Nou proved to be a humiliating night for the Englishman.
Luis Suarez scored four and Lionel Messi hit three in a 7-0 victory for Barcelona, who then finished the job with a 1-1 draw at Valencia in the second leg. On paper, Barcelona have had to face some tough teams in this season's competition, but in truth, it has been a very comfortable progression to the final.
The team news is expected to land in the next 10 minutes or so and three players certain to be in the Barcelona XI are Neymar, Messi and Suarez. Incredibly, the trio all faced criticism during Barcelona's stumble, but all three have once again posted incredible numbers during the 2015-16 campaign.
Suarez has arguably been the best player in Europe this season and will enter this match having scored 59 times in 52 appearances this season – including five in three appearances in the Copa del Rey. Messi, meanwhile, has had his injury problems, but has still managed 41 in 48 appearances. It has not been the Argentine's best campaign, but 41 goals is not too bad!
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Neymar was out-shining Suarez and Messi in the first half of the campaign, but it would be fair to say that the Brazilian's level has dropped in recent months. A new contract will seemingly soon be signed, however, and the Brazil captain has registered 30 goals in 48 appearances for the Spanish club this season. Manchester United are said to be preparing one last effort to prise him from Spain!
#FCBLive pic.twitter.com/PnQQqI9Kil — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 22, 2016
The team news is just filtering through and I can tell you that there are no surprises in the Barcelona XI. As for Sevilla, Vicente Iborra has replaced Steven N'Zonzi in the middle of the park...
El #SevillaFC ya está en el Vicente Calderón para jugar la #FinalCopa #vamosmisevilla #SevillaUnaVezMas pic.twitter.com/YHCU6Gju5y — Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) May 22, 2016
TEAMS:
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
SEVILLA: Rico; Mariano, Rami, Carrico, Escudero; Krychowiak, Iborra; Coke, Banega, Vitolo; Gameiro
As mentioned, no surprises at all in the Barcelona XI tonight. Cup goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen keeps his place between the sticks, while Dani Alves and Jordi Alba will operate in the two full-back positions. Ivan Rakitic is selected against his former club in a midfield three that includes Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. A certain South American trio start in the final third!
As for Sevilla, Benoit Tremoulinas and Michael Krohn-Dehli once again miss out through knee problems, while Steven N'Zonzi is suspended. Vicente Iborra comes into a defensive midfield position alongside Krychowiak, while Sergio Escudero continues at left-back. Following his double in the Europa League final, skipper Coke keeps his spot on the right of the attack ahead of Mariano. Elsewhere, first-choice stopper Sergio Rico replaces European goalkeeper David Soria between the sticks.
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So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little under 45 minutes from kickoff on this warm night in Madrid. I have touched on Barcelona and their 2015-16 season, but what about Sevilla? Like Barcelona, Sevilla have already won a major trophy this season and are attempting to make it a cup double, which would certainly make up for a disappointing league campaign.
Indeed, Sevilla will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Europa League final on Wednesday night. Daniel Sturridge sent the English club into a 35th-minute lead, but Kevin Gameiro equalised 17 seconds into the second period, before Coke struck twice for the Spanish outfit.
It was Sevilla's third Europa League crown in succession and their fifth in total and they will now advance straight into the group stages of next season's Champions League. While the players will still be on a high from their exploits in Switzerland, Barcelona have had a free week to prepare for this match and tiredness may well be a factor in Madrid. That is my main fear for Sevilla in this game.
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As mentioned, Sevilla have a major trophy to their name this season and could make that two tonight, but they only managed an seventh-place finish in the La Liga table. On the face of it, seventh is far from disastrous, but they lost 14 of their 38 league games and were 12 points off the Champions League positions, which will be seen as a major disappointment for a team of this ilk.
Incredibly, Sevilla actually lost seven of their last nine in the league and their only victory during that run was against rivals Real Betis on April 24. They lost to Espanyol and Granada at the start of the month, before going down 3-1 at Athletic Bilbao on the final weekend of the season. It was a very strange end to the campaign for a team that is packed with talent. But tonight is a new challenge!
ROUTE TO THE FINAL – PART TWO! Sevilla made light work of Logrones in the early rounds of the competition – winning 5-0 on aggregate to set-up a clash with Betis. Much was made of the rivalry, but it proved to be very comfortable for Sevilla, who scored six times without reply over the two legs.
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Next came Mirandes in what was a favourable quarter-final draw for Emery's side and once again it was comfortable as a 2-0 win in Seville was followed by a 3-0 success away from home. Celta Vigo were the team waiting in the semi-finals and were full of confidence after dumping Atletico out of the competition in the previous round. Elsewhere, Barcelona were paired with Valencia in the semis.
Sevilla recorded a thumping 4-0 win in the first leg, however, before drawing 2-2 in Vigo to book their spot in the final. In all fairness to the teams that Sevilla have played – Logrones, Real Betis, Mirandes and Celta – it was a very kind draw for Sevilla and they had a simple route to the final at the Vicente Calderon. The atmosphere is really building with kickoff little over 20 minutes away here!
Let's win it again! https://t.co/gOTPns0gBX #CopaFCB #Wewantthedouble — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 22, 2016
PREDICTION! I am finding it difficult to look past Barcelona tonight. Sevilla are a super team, but they will enter this match off the back of a European final, while Barcelona have had a free week to prepare. I actually think it will be a fairly comfortable 3-1 victory for the holders at the Calderon.
"It is going to be a great game and it is being played in a fantastic stadium. I am looking forward to it," Valencia assistant Phil Neville has just told Sky Sports News. The Calderon is some ground!
Just a final reminder of the two starting teams in Madrid...
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
SEVILLA: Rico; Mariano, Rami, Carrico, Escudero; Krychowiak, Iborra; Coke, Banega, Vitolo; Gameiro
Here we go then. The time for talking is over. The two teams are about to join us on the field inside this wonderful stadium. Once the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, we will be ready to get the action underway. Barcelona versus Sevilla for the Copa!
Spanish national anthem time...
KICKOFF! You just get the feeling that the first goal - especially if it comes for Barcelona - could be crucial. Sevilla cannot afford to start low here. Right, it is Barcelona that kick this final off in Madrid...
... Spain boss Vicente del Bosque is in attendance tonight and plenty of the players on display here are in his provisional Euro 2016 squad! He will be wanting a nice and friendly match, but I have a feeling that we will see some crunching challenges tonight. Barcelona with the early possession in Madrid.
Suarez has already clashed with Carrico in the early exchanges and you sense that the referee will need to be strong in tonight's match. If that means letting a few things go early on, then so be it. Barcelona are the team in control of the ball, but Sevilla are pushing forward with four on the clock.
Neymar looks to combine with Messi inside the Sevilla box, but Mariano is alive to the threat and manages to clear the danger. Coke is indeed playing right midfield for Sevilla, but he will drop deep to help his right-back. Gameiro, meanwhile, has just burst into the Barcelona box. Dangerous!
Gameiro's pace once again causes Barcelona's defence problems as the Frenchman races past Mascherano, but Ter Stegen is out to clear ahead of Iborra. Sevilla are very dangerous here!
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match comes to Barcelona as Iniesta sets up Suarez just outside the Sevilla box, but the striker can only half-volley his effort wide of the post!
Suarez continues to cause Sevilla problems with his running and direct movement, but Barcelona's latest attack comes to an end when Rami comes across to make the challenge. Still 0-0 here.
As expected, Barcelona have been in control of the possession in the opening 14 minutes, but Sevilla are a real threat on the counter due to the pace of Gameiro at the tip of their attack. Mariano is also receiving plenty of cover from Coke, which is making it difficult for Neymar on that side.
Iniesta has already pulled off some wonderful moves in the middle of the park and the latest piece of skill from the Spaniard ultimately forces a corner via Neymar. The resulting set piece is delivered by Rakitic, but Sevilla manage to repel the danger. Pretty even game with 16 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla as Vitolo sets up Coke with a wonderful piece of skill, but the skipper cannot make proper contact and eventually Barcelona can force it clear!
Barcelona have had plenty of chances to deliver from free kicks and corners in the opening 21 minutes, but Sevilla have been pretty comfortable defending their own box. Iniesta is again at the heart of another Barcelona attack, but the Red and Whites have numbers back to deal with the pressure.
Rico is forced to punch a Rakitic corner clear of his own box as Barcelona threaten once again.
Sevilla work the ball into the Barcelona box as Iborra's strike looks to fall for Gameiro, but the offside flag is raised and Barcelona survive a dangerous moment. Good spell for Sevilla here.
Messi finds time and space on the edge of the Sevilla box before looking for Neymar, but the Brazilian does not read the pass and Rico is across to make the save. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight and we have had an open and entertaining game thus far.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still level at 0-0. The best chance of the match fell to Suarez early on, but his half-volley was wide of the post. Just a reminder that we will have extra-time if the score stays 0-0 for the whole 90 minutes, but I fancy some goals!
Messi continues to work his magic outside the Sevilla box, but the final pass has been lacking thus far. Sevilla are very well-drilled at the back, which was the case for long spells of the Europa League final - especially in the second period. Barcelona, however, are in control of the possession.
Alves strikes one from outside the Sevilla box, but his effort was always wide.
Rami has just thrown himself onto the ball, with his head, after Neymar threatened to move past the Frenchman. Bizarre defending, but it worked as it stopped the counter! Neymar wanted handball.
It is a very tactical game at the moment and Sevilla boss Unai Emery will be delighted with his team's performance in this first period. Barcelona have had very little in the final third tonight.
Messi and Iniesta look to combine inside the Sevilla box, but the final touch is just too strong and Rami is across to shepherd the ball behind for a goal-kick. Just not quite happening for Barcelona.
RED CARD! MASCHERANO!
Oh my word! Barcelona are down to 10 men as Mascherano is sent off for bringing Gameiro to the ground just outside the penalty box. Mascherano was last man and he had to go there!
SAVE! Ter Stegen flies across his goal to keep out Banega's free kick!
What a chance for Sevilla btw! Busquets has dropped into central defence for Barcelona, but a change will need to be made at the break. Barcelona need their big players to step forward here.
It was a brilliant flick from Iborra that sent Gameiro away and the striker was just too quick for Mascherano, who might well have cost his team a Copa del Rey trophy. Barcelona will need to dig deep, but they can regroup at the interval. Sevilla are very much on the front foot at the moment.
CLOSE! Pique has just flashed a header wide of the Sevilla post from a corner!
Just the one additional minute at the end of the first period. Neymar dances into the Sevilla box before setting up Messi, but Rami is across to make a vital block. Strong end for Barcelona here!
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Clear chances have been few and far between, but Barcelona will have to play the entire second period (and possibly more) with 10 men after having Mascherano sent off in the 36th minute for a last-man challenge on Gameiro. Sevilla have a real chance to upset Barcelona in the final here!
STATS! Barcelona have shaded the possession with 62%, while they have had five attempts, but have thus far been unable to hit the target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their four attempts. Just the one card to report, but it was a big one - red for Mascherano in the 36th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona will surely need to make a defensive change at the break and Jeremy Mathieu is their only centre-back on the bench tonight. Rafinha, Munir and Turan provide the attacking options for Luis Enrique. Sevilla, meanwhile, might well look to make the most of their one-man advantage, with Llorente, Konoplyanka and Jose Antonio Reyes are on the bench in Madrid.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Sevilla make use of their one-man advantage? We shall see! Sevilla resume the action here...
... BARCELONA SUB! Mathieu has replaced Rakitic for the Catalan side.
Banega tries his luck from outside the Barcelona box, but Pique deflects the ball behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered by Escudero, but it swings out of play - poor!
Neymar appears to break into the Sevilla box after a super pass from Iniesta, but the flag is raised. Poor decision though - the Brazilian was level with the final defender. Lively start to the half!
Sevilla are the team pressing forward in the early stages of the second period, but Barcelona are always a threat on the counter attack. Messi has dropped into a deeper midfield role now.
POST! Sevilla rattle the woodwork! Banega finds space outside the Barcelona box and fires one towards the bottom corner, but Pique deflects it onto the foot of the post!
Barcelona need to weather this storm, but Sevilla sense blood and they are the team pressing forward early in the second period. The Spanish champions need more from Suarez and Neymar, but neither can get into the game at the moment. Still all square in this fascinating final in Madrid.
Super defending from Carrico as the Sevilla centre-back just about beats Messi to a high ball. Messi takes a whack to the face and is left on the ground here looking very dazed it must be said.
Good grief Messi has a massive lump on his head, but he will return it seems!
Now Suarez has hit the deck and is holding his hamstring!
Suarez is going to have to leave the field here. What a massive blow for Barcelona!
BARCELONA SUB! Rafinha replaces the injured Suarez.
You just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match with more than 30 minutes of normal time remaining in the Spanish capital. I still think that extra-time is unlikely, at 0-0 anyway! Could be 1-1!
Barcelona need a Messi or a Neymar to step forward and take control of this match. Sevilla might never get a better chance to win the Copa del Rey against Barcelona and both Llorente and Konoplyanka are warming up on the sidelines. Surely a change will be made sooner rather than later.
Little over 25 minutes of normal time remaining and as it stands, we are heading for extra-time. Sevilla sense blood, however, and they are really forcing the issue against 10-man Barcelona.
Gameiro has a strike blocked by Busquets as the pressure continues from Sevilla here.
CLOSE! Krychowiak has a strike blocked just wide of the post by Busquets! The midfielder's effort looked to be on target, but Barcelona survive by the skin of their teeth here!
I must admit that I expected Barcelona to dominate this game, but Sevilla have shown a real commitment to the cause and have once again been excellent. So delicately poised in Madrid.
Banega continues to pull the strings from a deep position, but the Argentine's latest pass is just too strong for Iborra, who is causing Barcelona problems with his presence. Still all square here.
The Sevilla supporters can hardly contain themselves at the moment as their team continue to press forward and deliver high balls into the Barcelona box. The Catalan side are under pressure.
BOOKING! Rami (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
BOOKING! Vitolo (Sevilla) is booked for felling Iniesta just outside the box...
... SAVE! Routine for Rico as the Sevilla stopper saves Messi's effort.
Super work from Messi as the Barcelona forward drops his shoulder and drives past three Sevilla players, but the Argentine cannot slide the ball into Mathieu, who had broken forward! Down the other end, Pique is across to make a fine last-ditch challenge on the lively Gameiro!
SEVILLA SUB! Konoplyanka replaces Mariano for Sevilla.
Still no sign of Llorente for Sevilla, but the tall striker could yet play his part in this final. Sevilla continue to force the issue and Konoplyanka has already skinned Alves down the left.
The referee is coming over to speak to Luis Enrique and one of his assistants after something was said to the linesman. Someone is being sent to the stands here - tensions are very high!
Iborra wants a penalty after scrapping with Alves inside the box, but the referee says no!
If there is going to be a winning goal in 90 minutes, it has to come soon. Barcelona have not been too bothered about attacking in the second period, but Pique has been super at the back.
BOOKING! Alba (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Banega.
BOOKING! Neymar (Barcelona) is booked for a dive!
BOOKING! Iniesta, Alves (Barcelona) are booked for dissent.
We are into the first of five additional minutes here.
RED CARD! BANEGA!
Oh my word! Sevilla are now down to 10 men as Banega is sent off for a last-man challenge on Neymar! Looked to be the correct call and Barcelona have a free kick just outside the box!
SAVE! Rico saves Messi's free kick.
Now it is Barcelona on the attack. Ten versus 10 here!
BOOKING! Iborra (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Ter Stegen.
END OF 90 MINS: Barcelona 0-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. It will be extra-time and possibly penalties to decide the outcome of this Copa del Rey final. It is also now 10 against 10 after Banega joined Mascherano in being sent off here!
We are just about ready to get extra-time underway. Tiredness will surely become a factor in the next 30 minutes. Sevilla have already had one major final this week! Barcelona are fresher tonight.
RESTART! Sevilla kick us off in extra-time.
Extra-time can open be very cagey and I am expecting that to be the case in this match. Sevilla have had most of the possession in the early moments, but nothing serious to report.
BOOKING! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
Sevilla, for perhaps the first time tonight, look leggy and tired in the middle of the park. Barcelona are looking to ram home their advantage, but there are a lot of tired legs out there at the moment.
Escudero seems to have picked up cramp after chasing down Rafinha. Down the other end, Busquets had stopped the run of Konoplyanka with a fine challenge. Still all square in Madrid.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Sevilla (Alba)
Oh my word! Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 97th minute as Messi delivers a super pass into Alba, who holds off Vitolo before squeezing his effort into the far corner of the net!
It is harsh on Sevilla! Can they find a way back into this final?! Stay with us!
Barcelona break and Messi goes to lift the ball over Rico, but it never had enough weight.
BOOKING! Konoplyanka (Sevilla) is booked for bringing Messi to the deck.
SAVE! Rico flies across his goal to keep out another Messi free kick.
BOOKING! Escudero (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
SAVE! Stunning save from Rico to tip a Pique header over the crossbar!
SAVE! Another super Rico stop to keep out an Alves effort!
HALF-TIME EXTRA-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Sevilla
Sevilla are going to introduce Llorente for the second half of extra-time!
RESTART! Llorente replaces Iborra for Sevilla.
Can Sevilla create something? They will need the ball first! All Barcelona at the moment.
Barcelona have players over on the counter-attack, but Neymar decides to go alone and Sevilla manage to force it clear. I would not be surprised to see a second Barcelona goal late on here.
Ter Stegen gets down to keep out a low strike from Coke.
The referee is now receiving some treatment on his thigh!
So, everyone seems to be having a little break! The referee, Busquets is down. There will be added time, but this is all a little strange. The Barcelona supporters think their team have done enough.
BOOKING! Gameiro (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Rafinha.
Sevilla have run out of legs here and Barcelona are very much in control of this final.
SAVE! Rico flies across his goal to keep out a close-range Neymar header!
Barcelona break and Messi looks to feed Busquets, but Rami is on hand to make the block and there might well be one more chance for Sevilla. Should be a decent amount of added time.
BARCELONA SUB! Roberto replaces Alba for Barcelona.
RED CARD! CARRICO!
Sevilla are down to nine men as Carrico is sent off for a late challenge on Messi.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Sevilla (Neymar)
Messi slides a super pass into Neymar, who finishes into the bottom corner for 2-0!
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Sevilla
BARCELONA ARE THE 2016 COPA DEL REY WINNERS!
So there we have it. What a night of action from the Vicente Calderon! Three red cards and two goals as Barcelona win their 28th Copa del Rey with a 2-0 extra-time victory over Sevilla, who just ran out of legs! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
