Valencia vs Barcelona, Copa del Rey: Final Score 0-2 (agg 0-3), Coutinho & Rakitic fire Barca into final

Barcelona are through to yet another Copa del Rey final after a pretty entertaining semi-final second leg against Valencia at the Mestalla. Gerard Pique started the game, despite concerns over his fitness, and Barca managed to hold the hosts at bay until substitute Philippe Coutinho came on and scored his first goal for the club. Ivan Rakitic then finished Valencia off late on as Barca set up a date with Sevilla.

FIRST HALF

Valencia had the better of the first half, as you’d probably expect seeing as they were a goal down from the first leg. Francis Coquelin produced the first shot of the match after just six minutes but then Lionel Messi had a chance with a free kick which Jaume Doménech had to punch to safety.

The hosts then went even closer when Gerard Moreno outjumped Gerard Pique but saw his header come back off the underside of the crossbar with Jasper Cillessen beaten. Cillessen also made a save from Moreno before Messi curled a lovely shot just wide on the half hour mark.

Although Valencia looked more dangerous, Messi was causing all sorts of problems and Coquelin was reduced to almost taking his shirt off to stop him. Anyway, Barca defended pretty well and managed to get to half-time with the scoreline still goalless on the night.

SECOND HALF

Valverde made a change at the break and sent on Philippe Coutinho for Andre Gomes and the substitute made an instant impact. Luis Suarez was the creator with a great run before crossing for the Brazilian to slide in and finish brilliantly at the far post.

Barca might have had a second on the hour mark as Suarez teed up Messi superbly but Domenech saved and Alba got to the follow-up but was denied by a block from Martin Montoya.

Valencia kept going and almost pulled one back but Cillessen denied Gaya from point-blank range with a wonderful save. Barca then made the game safe with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

Again it was Suarez who set up the goal as he picked up a poor clearance and played it to Ivan Rakitic who slotted home from inside the area to send Barca into the final.

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Valencia: Jaume; Montoya, Gabriel, Garay (Ruben Vezo), Gayà; Parejo, Coquelin (Guedes), Kondogbia; Vietto, Zaza, Rodrigo (Soler).

Barcelona: Cillessen; Roberto, Pique (Mina), Umtiti, Alba; Gomes (Coutinho 46’), Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta (Paulinho); Messi, Suarez.

Goal: Coutinho 49’, Rakitic 82’

Source: barcablaugranes.com