Sevilla 0-5 Barça: Spectacle

What a show!!!

Barcelona are the first team in almost 90 years to win the Copa del Rey four straight times, and they won the fourth in style thanks to a 5-0 destruction of Sevilla at the Wanda Metropolitano. There was nothing lucky about this: Barça were sensational for start to finish and established their authority from minute one, playing gorgeous football on their way to their best performance of the season and winning the first trophy under Ernesto Valverde.

FIRST HALF

From the very first second of the game, it was evident this was not going to be a mediocre Barça performance like so many this season. Barça were sharp with their passing, crisp with their movement and alert with their defensive structure, and they complete destroyed Sevilla for 45 minutes. There were many chances created throughout the half, and Barça got three goals to show for their dominance.

First it was Luis Suárez who tapped home the opener after a beautiful long ball from Jasper Cillessen reached Philippe Coutinho, who then assisted the Uruguayan for the first goal. Then an amazing cycle of possession ended with Lionel Messi firing home the second, and then Messi played a spectacular through ball to Suárez for the third.

At halftime, it was a tremendous performance from the La Liga leaders, and the Copa del Rey trophy was just 45 minutes away.

SECOND HALF

There was no relaxation after getting a three-goal lead in the first half: Barça continued to fully dominate a lifeless Sevilla and create chance after chance, and they got more goals: Andrés Iniesta rounded the keeper to score a beautiful goal, and Philippe Coutinho scored a penalty to make it 5-0 and truly kill the game.

Sevilla went all out in the final minutes looking for a consolation goal, but they couldn’t find it. The final whistle came, Barça are champions, and Andrés Iniesta started crying. Oh boy.

And here comes my apology: I was wrong in saying I didn’t give a damn about this game, and I certainly deserve the criticism. I still don’t think that winning this title will completely change what has been a disappointing season, but tonight’s performance can certainly be the catalyst for something special next season. But the coach needs to let his attacking players attack, because they’re pretty good at attacking when they’re given the freedom to attack.

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Sevilla: Soria; Navas, Mercado, Lenglet, Escudero; N’Zonzi, Banega; Sarabia (Layún), Vázquez (Nolito), Correa (Sandro); Muriel

Goals: None

Barcelona: Cillessen; Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Coutinho (Dembélé), Rakitic, Busquets (Paulinho), Iniesta (Denis); Messi, Suárez

Goals: Suárez (14’, 40’), Messi (31’), Iniesta (52’), Coutinho (69’)

Source: barcablaugranes.com