Barcelona Eases Into Copa Del Rey Quarterfinals With 5-1 Rout Of Real Betis

Barcelona eased into the Copa del Rey quarterfinals with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Real Betis at the Camp Nou on Thursday.

The match was effectively over as a contest by half-time, with Barca racing into a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Franck Kessie. Betis pulled one back through Luiz Henrique early in the second half, but goals from Ansu Fati and Pedri ensured a comfortable passage into the last eight.

The victory was Barca's fifth in a row in all competitions and extended their unbeaten run to nine matches. It was also a welcome boost ahead of Sunday's crucial La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.

A comfortable win for a dominant Barcelona side

Barca were in control from the first whistle and never looked like relinquishing their lead. They dominated possession (68%) and created a host of chances, with Lewandowski and Raphinha both hitting the woodwork in the first half.

The Brazilian eventually broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, finishing coolly after being played in by Gavi. Lewandowski doubled the lead just six minutes later, heading home a cross from Jordi Alba. Kessie made it 3-0 in the 45th minute, firing home from close range after a scramble in the Betis box.

Betis pulled one back through Luiz Henrique early in the second half, but Barca restored their three-goal advantage through Fati in the 69th minute. Pedri added a fifth in the 77th minute to complete the scoring.

Impressive performance from Raphinha

One of the most impressive performers for Barca was Raphinha. The Brazilian winger was a constant threat down the right flank and created a number of chances for his teammates.

He also scored the opening goal of the game, his fifth in all competitions this season. Raphinha's form has been one of the few bright spots in a difficult campaign for Barca and he will be hoping to continue his good form in the coming weeks.

A disappointing night for Betis

It was a disappointing night for Betis, who were outplayed by a superior Barcelona side. The Andalusian club had a few chances to get back into the game, but they were unable to take them.

The defeat was Betis's first in the Copa del Rey this season and it ended their hopes of winning the trophy. They will now turn their attention to La Liga, where they are currently fifth.

Conclusion

Barcelona eased into the Copa del Rey quarterfinals with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Real Betis. The victory was Barca's fifth in a row in all competitions and extended their unbeaten run to nine matches.

It was also a welcome boost ahead of Sunday's crucial La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid. Betis, meanwhile, will be disappointed with their performance and will need to improve if they want to challenge for a top-four finish in La Liga.