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Copa del Rey | Round Four
Dec 3, 2014 at 9pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-4

FT(HT: 0-3)
Rakitic (12'), Iniesta (15'), Pedro (38'), Rafinha (71')

Live Commentary: Huesca 0-4 Barcelona - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live commentary of the Copa del Rey last-32 first leg between Huesca and Barcelona.
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Barcelona travelled to Huesca in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-32 clash on Wednesday.

Goals from Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta and Pedro left the visitors with a three-goal lead at the interval.

Rafinha made it four 20 minutes from time and that was how it ended in northern Spain.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.


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Evening all! Our second and final Copa del Rey live commentary of the night comes from the Estadio El Alcoraz as Huesca welcome last season's finalists Barcelona. Just a reminder that this is a two-legged affair and the second clash will take place at the Camp Nou later this month. Right, let me bring you up to speed with the all-important team news.

TEAMS

HUESCA: Jimenez; Aythami, David, Garcia, Morillas; Ros, Camacho; Josan, Gassama, Tyronne; Marti

BARCA: Ter Stegen; Douglas, Bartra, Mathieu, Adriano; Samper, Rakitic, Iniesta; Rafinha, Munir, Pedro


So there we have it. Starting with the visitors - plenty of experience in the Barcelona XI, with Andres Iniesta making his return and Jeremy Mathieu and Ivan Rakitic both included. There are also starts for Sergi Samper and Munir El-Haddadi. Huesca, meanwhile, are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Guillem Marti leading the line. Will we have a shock this evening?

Huesca have already beaten three teams to make it to this stage of the competition, while they will enter the match in good form having won their last four games in the Segunda B. Barcelona, meanwhile, are on a run of six straight wins in all competitions. The Catalan outfit made it to the final of the Copa del Rey last season, but eventually lost in extra-time to Real Madrid.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the action underway.

This is not the biggest stadium you will ever see, but it is packed to the rafters! As expected, Barca have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, which will be the case for the majority of this match. Huesca just need to find a way to affect this match.

A quick recap of the two teams this evening...


Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the Huesca box, with Pedro and Iniesta both involved in the final third. The home side are well-organised at the moment, however, with 10 men behind the ball. It could be a long night for the hosts if Barca manage to score early.

Douglas has been involved down the right for Barca in the opening six minutes, but Jimenez has been able to claim in the Huesca goal. The atmosphere remains high inside the stadium, with the home supporters doing their best to raise their team. It is all Barcelona possession at the moment.

Guillem is the target for a through pass from Camacho, but Bartra is across to make the challenge and allow Ter Stegen to claim. Barca continue to enjoy more of the ball in the final third, but they have not really created a clear chance thus far. In truth, this should be a very routine win.

Pedro has the chance to shoot outside the box, but the Spaniard fires his effort into the stands after finding some space in the final third. Not the best from the attacker there!

CHANCE! Huesca almost take the lead as Ter Stegen has a clearance blocked by Josan, but it bounces away from goal rather than into the back of the net. Nervy moment there!

Barcelona have the chance to threaten from a free kick after Rakitic is felled by Inigo...

... GOAL! Huesca 0-1 Barcelona (Rakitic)

Stunning, just stunning. No Messi in the team so Rakitic steps up to take the set piece and the Croatian bends one into the corner of the net. That is a little bit special!

Huesca just cannot get out of their own half at the moment, with Barca in complete control in the final third. Rafinha tries his luck from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high.

GOAL! Huesca 0-2 Barcelona (Iniesta)

Stunning team goal from the away side, with Munir and Rakitic both involved before Iniesta drives one into the top corner. Incredible technique from Iniesta, who supremely cut across the ball.

BOOKING! Mathieu goes into the book for a rash challenge on Josan.

BOOKING! Carlos David (Huesca) is now booked for dissent.

Ter Stegen has a problem following a heavy challenge from a set piece, but it does appear that the goalkeeper will be fit to continue. This match took a little bit of time to get going, but plenty is happening at the moment. There is a stoppage as Ter Stegen is treated.

Huesca just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Barca continue to smother the home side outside their own box. In truth, it is almost like a training match for Barca, who lead by two goals.

CHANCE! Munir thinks that he has scored a third for the away side, but Garcia makes an excellent block with his goalkeeper stranded. Huesca are really, really struggling.

Huesca have a half-chance as Morillas delivers an excellent cross towards the far post, but Barca manage to clear the danger. The home side have just started to find some space in the final third, but their willingness to attack will leave space for Barcelona to exploit down the other end of the field.

Marti attempts to beat the offside trap after playing on Bartra's shoulder and collecting a pass from Josan, but the flag is raised. That was a harsh decision for me. Josan continues to impress in wide positions, with Adriano and Douglas both finding the number seven difficult to contain.

It is all a little bit too intricate in the final third at the moment, with a couple of Barcelona attacks breaking down after too many touches. Huesca have had their moments in this half, with Tyronne and Josan both causing problems, while Inigo has just hit one high of the crossbar.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Josan sets up Guillem with an excellent low cross, but the striker's effort is saved by the feet of Ter Stegen.

In fairness to Huesca - they have given it a real go this evening. It is not too difficult to see why they are third in their league table at the moment. Gassama delivers a dangerous cross into the Barca box this time, but there are no takers and the danger is cleared. Still 2-0 Barcelona.

Barca again have a free kick just outside the box as David fells Rakitic...

... POST! Rakitic again hits a stunning set piece, but this time he smashes the post. It could quite easily have been three there. From the resulting corner, Douglas hits one, but he finds the stands. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.

Rakitic again has a half-chance for the away side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was pushed over the crossbar by Jimenez, who has been a busy goalkeeper thus far.

GOAL! Huesca 0-3 Barcelona (Pedro)

Barcelona have their third as Pedro drives into the box before firing one into the bottom corner. Well, that is game, set and match in terms of tonight and indeed the overall tie.

Munir has the chance to make it four following good work from Pedro, but the 19-year-old's effort was straight into the arms of the goalkeeper, who is so isolated at the moment.

CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Barca as Munir collects a loose save from Jimenez, but somehow he fires wide of the post. What a miss from the youngster.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute.

HALF-TIME: Huesca 0-3 Barcelona

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona leading 3-0. Rakitic opened the scoring with a beautiful free kick, before goals from Iniesta and Pedro added gloss to the scoreline. The home side have had their moments, but have been nervy in defensive areas.

BENCH WATCH! The home side have the likes of Esnaider, Gaspar and Sosa on their bench this evening, while Barcelona have options in the shape of Sandro, Roberto and Edgar Ie. I suspect that both managers will make all three changes as the second period develops.

Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening, with the second leg to come at the Camp Nou later this month. Well, officially nothing will be decided. Barca currently lead 3-0 and will make it into the next round, of that I am certain. Unless they are forced to pull out of the competition...

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Huesca avoid a hiding in the second 45 minutes? It is the home side that get the action underway.

No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of the match. You just get the feeling that Huesca need to ride out the opening 10 or 15 minutes here.

CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Barca as Munir meets a low cross from Rafinha, but once again his effort is collected by Jimenez. Munir could have had a hat-trick.

CLOSE! Huesca's best chance of the match falls to Tyronne, but the attacker just curls one wide of the post. The home side deserve at least one this evening.

Guillem continues to cause problems to the Barcelona defence with his size and power, but the away side manage to keep their clean sheet in tact - for now. I would be astounded if there were not more goals in this match as both teams continue to commit numbers in the final third.

CHANCE! Pedro has a brilliant chance to score his second of the match after driving into the box, but he fires his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Should have scored.

Huesca really are making a game of it in the second period, with Josan and Tyronne both having attempts from outside the box. Barca boss Luis Enrique will be pleased that his team are being tested this evening, which was not really the case for either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.

Douglas tries his luck for Barca after finding space outside the box, but his effort is deflected high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the score remains 3-0.

SUB! The home side make their first change as Sosa replaces Gassama.

Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the score remains 3-0 Barcelona. Still no movement on the Barca bench, but Sandro is one player that is expected to feature in the latter stages.

Again it is good work from Guillem as the Spaniard drives past Mathieu before driving one towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving away from the post. Good work once again.

Half-chance for Pedro to score his second as he attempts to meet a high ball inside the box, but he fouls Morillas in the process with a high foot. Huesca are preparing to make their second change.

SUB! The change is made as Cabezas replaces Tyronne.

SUBS! Double change for the away side as Roberto and Edgar le replace Rakitic and Mathieu. It is a Barcelona debut for Edgar this evening.

Half-chance for the home side as Inigo finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Still 3-0 Barcelona with 65 minutes on the clock.

Half-chance for Iniesta as the midfielder strikes one from outside the box, but Inigo is on hand to make the block. The pace has just slowed following changes from both managers.

Cabezas has some space down the right for the home side, but his low cross is cleared and suddenly Barcelona are on the counter. Eventually the ball is worked to Munir, but his effort is wide of the crossbar. It just will not go in for the teenager this evening. He should have had four!

Huesca have not been beaten in this stadium for a year. Well, they are going to lose this evening, but they can be pleased with their performance in the second 45 minutes. Sure, Barcelona have had some chances, but the hosts have looked dangerous in the final third on a number of occasions.

GOAL! Huesca 0-4 Barcelona (Rafinha)

Rafinha has his first goal for Barcelona as the midfielder's deflected effort drops into the bottom corner. It is a touch fortunate, but it should be awarded to Rafinha.

SUB! The home side make their third change as Esnaider replaces Josan.

It is a little harsh on Huesca following their performance in the second period, but that is football at this level. Barcelona are preparing to make their third change, with Sandro due to enter.

SUB! The change is indeed made as Sandro replaces Munir.

Another half-chance for the home side as Sosa strikes one from outside the box, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 10 minutes of this Copa del Rey clash remaining.

Sandro shows excellent feet outside the Huesca box before striking one towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. It would not be a surprise to see at least one more goal in the latter stages of this match. There are now some tired legs on display that is for certain.

Just a reminder that these two sides will meet in the second leg of this last-32 clash later in the month. That will be a wonderful experience for Huesca, but this tie is over as a contest.

CHANCES! Huesca have three chances in quick succession to score following a mix-up inside the Barca box, but Guillem, Sosa and Moreno all pass up opportunities. The best chance fell to Guillem, but his effort was blocked by Bartra. How have they not scored!

Lively end to the match, with both sides forcing the issue. Barca have a half-chance as Douglas delivers a dangerous cross towards the near post, but Bartra's effort is deflected behind.

Guillem again threatens for the home side after collecting a pass from Cabezas, but Bartra is across to make an excellent challenge. The centre-back has been very steady for Barca tonight.

CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Sosa hits a beautiful volley from just inside the box, but it just moves high of the crossbar. So close!

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes.

Possession football from Barca as they close out the final stages here.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Sandro has the ball in the back of the net for Barca, but the Spaniard was ruled offside when he converted from close range. He was indeed just offside.

FULL-TIME: Huesca 0-4 Barcelona

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out comfortable 4-0 winners. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!

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Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Real Madrid in the La Liga match on March 23, 2014
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