FC Barcelona needed patience and precision to find a way past third-tier CD Guadalajara, grinding out a 2-0 away win to book a place in the Copa del Rey fourth round on Tuesday night. The holders met stubborn resistance before Andreas Christensen’s deflected header in the 77th minute relieved the pressure, and Marcus Rashford sealed the result with a late strike from Lamine Yamal’s unerring service.
Hansi Flick signaled intent with a strong lineup, handing starts to Rashford and the electric Yamal. Barcelona controlled territory and tempo but struggled to pierce a well-drilled Guadalajara back line that kept its shape and relied on committed last-ditch defending. Goalkeeper Dani Vicente stood tall, twice denying Rashford as the visitors searched for a cleaner final ball and quicker combinations around the box.
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The breakthrough came from a set-piece sequence. Frenkie de Jong, who probed all night from midfield, delivered a teasing cross that Christensen attacked; his header picked up a deflection that wrong-footed Vicente and finally broke Guadalajara’s resolve. The release allowed Barcelona to manage the closing phases without panic.
Yamal then added a flourish. The winger’s timing and weight of pass split the lines in the final minute, springing Rashford to finish and flatten any prospect of late drama. For a tie that seemed to drift toward extra time, the late 2-0 felt both routine on the scoreboard and hard-earned on the grass.
Barcelona’s performance was more about control than cutting edge, yet it underscored cup fundamentals: respect the opponent, minimize errors, and let quality assert itself. Guadalajara’s discipline made this a classic Copa test, and Flick’s side found the answers in set-piece execution and a moment of top-tier quality from their youngest star and high-profile forward.
Elsewhere, Valencia delivered the night’s most straightforward result with a 2-0 win away to second-tier Sporting Gijon. Lucas Beltran struck early to settle any nerves before Dani Raba doubled the advantage just after the break, and from there the visitors managed the match with clarity and few scares. It was an efficient, professional advance.
Elche also progressed, edging past a heavily rotated Eibar side 1-0 away thanks to a first-half strike from Adam Boayer. In a tie that offered little margin for error, Elche’s compact shape and composure under late pressure were enough to secure passage.
The most dramatic finish came at third-tier Eldense, where Real Sociedad booked a place in the last 16 with a 2-1 win decided in stoppage time. Luka Sucic put La Real ahead in the 79th minute, only for Nacho Quintana to equalize within two minutes to tilt the game toward extra time. Pablo Marin, however, intervened in added time with a decisive winner that reflected the visitors’ persistence and depth of resolve.
Deportivo La Coruna produced the day’s only minor surprise, beating top-flight Mallorca 1-0 at Riazor. The second division promotion chasers were organized and opportunistic, and Noe Carillo’s strike five minutes from time rewarded their effort and sent a message about the competition’s capacity for upsets.
- CD Guadalajara 0, FC Barcelona 2 — Christensen 77’ (deflected header), Rashford (last minute) from Yamal’s pass; Dani Vicente with two notable saves from Rashford.
- Sporting Gijon 0, Valencia 2 — Lucas Beltran (early first half), Dani Raba (early second half); controlled away performance from Valencia.
- Eibar 0, Elche 1 — Adam Boayer (first half); Elche withstand late pressure against a rotated Eibar.
- Eldense 1, Real Sociedad 2 — Sucic 79’, Quintana equalizer two minutes later, Pablo Marin (injury time) clincher; La Real advance to the last 16.
- Deportivo La Coruna 1, Mallorca 0 — Noe Carillo (five minutes from time); second division side claim the night’s minor upset.
In a round that largely followed the form book, the holders moved on with a blend of patience and quality, Valencia and Elche handled their assignments cleanly, and Real Sociedad showed late-game nerve. Deportivo’s win over Mallorca served as a reminder that the Copa’s margins can be narrow, especially away from home. With the field tightening, the balance between rotation and rhythm will only get trickier for clubs juggling league demands and cup ambitions.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
