BARCELONA VS ALAVES: 3-1
Barcelona defeated Alaves to win their third consecutive Copa del Rey title. It’s a record 29th Copa del Rey win for Barcelona which means Luis Enrique has won a trophy in each of his last seasons as in-charge of the club. For Barca, it’s their three forward Messi, Neymar and Paco Alcacer hitting the target. Barcelona looked little nervy for the contest as they just managed to edge past 3-2 against Atleti in Semi-finals and further Sergi Roberto and Luis Suarez both sent off. Although Theo Hernandez equalised after Messi’s opener then Barca was too good tonight.
The finals of Copa del Rey Cup started at Vicente Calderon Stadium. Luis Enrique was very particular about his last match as club manager and placed a formation of 4-3-3 while Alaves followed 3-2-4-1. It was a really tight match and none wanted to step back as in 11’ Llorente and Mascherano both clashed their heads with Mascherano bleeding from the head and in this process also twisted his knees badly. Messi scored the opener in 30’by breaking inside the D and passes it on to Neymar, where Neymar collected the ball easily and then returned back and Messi did it to perfection by curling a gorgeous finish past Pacheco into the corner. Within no time Theo Hernandez scored in 32’to equalise Barca’s lead from left back lines from a free-kick over Cillessen at far top corner. Final minutes of the half Pique and Rakitic gets middle and concede a corner. Messi frees Gomes from the right and him potentially offside Neymar and Neymar scores to lead Barca 2-1.
After the end of half-time, 3 minutes injury time was added and Messi roams in from right deflecting four and opens up space for Alcacer with a fine pass and thus Barca leads 3-1. Barcelona has already overturned Alaves in the first half of the match with 3 goals to 1. Lionel Messi played his 700th game in his international match while representing (583 for Barcelona and 117 for Argentina).
The second half started and Barcelona was strong with their defence just to stop Alaves from scoring. Barca fans already in good voice, if not celebrating and looked in good comfort. Pacheco’s scrambling saves denied Paco Alcacer from Messi shortly after the restart. Alaves forged a route back into the game, Cillessen blocking from Rodrigo Ely and Deyverson then ruled out for the offside just moments later. Several missed chances cost Mauricio Pellegrino’s side the opportunity to win Copa del Rey Title, with Aleix Vidal making a late appearance due to injury.
MATCH STATS:
- Barcelona have won 29 Copa del Rey trophies, six more than other teams(Athletic Club 23)
- Lionel Messi is the only player to score in four different Copa del Rey finals of (2017,2015,2012 and 2009)
- Neymar is the first player to score in three consecutive Copa finals (2017, 2016 and 2015)
- Lionel Messi has scored 54 goals for Barcelona this season in all competitions combined which are more than entire Alaves team (53).
