Barcelona vs. Espanyol: Winners and Losers from Copa Del Rey
Lionel Messi played a starring role as Barcelona crushed Espanyol, 4-1, in the first leg of their Copa del Rey round-of-16 clash.
Messi scored twice and also set up Barcelona's other two goals in a sensational display at the Camp Nou.
Espanyol had taken a shock lead through Felipe Caicedo after nine minutes. However, things went downhill from there for the visitors.
Messi bagged a first-half brace, his second a stunning long-range free-kick, before Gerard Pique made it 3-1 just four minutes after the break.
The visitors had Hernan Perez and Pape Diop sent off in the space of four minutes, leaving them to finish the game with nine men.
They looked like holding it to a two-goal deficit before Messi's chipped pass allowed Neymar to volley in a fourth for the Blaugrana in the 88th minute, giving them a healthy lead to take into the second leg.
Here, Bleacher Report has picked out the winners and losers from an eventful Catalan derby.
Winner: Lionel Messi
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Messi was at his brilliant best for Barcelona against Espanyol.
His first goal came at the end of a flowing move, as he swept his shot beyond Pau Lopez in the visiting goal.
Messi's second, however, was all down to a moment of individual brilliance. From around 30 yards out, the forward curled a free-kick over the wall and into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
According to OptaJose on Twitter: "Messi has scored more direct free-kicks [four] than any other La Liga player this season [all competitions]. Ace."
The Argentina international didn't manage to complete his hat-trick, but he did lay on goals for team-mates Pique and Neymar with precision passes after half-time.
Loser: Dani Alves
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Dani Alves was guilty of making the error that allowed Espanyol to take a shock lead after nine minutes at the Camp Nou.
The defender carelessly lost possession inside the visiting team's half, triggering a breakaway move that resulted in Caicedo breaking the deadlock.
Marco Asensio seized on the opportunity to carry the ball into the space vacated by Alves before slipping a perfectly timed pass across to the supporting Caicedo, who steered his shot past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Winners: Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal
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Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal finally got the chance to make their Barcelona debuts in the Copa del Rey tie.
The duo joined the Blaugrana in the summer but were not able to be registered until the start of 2016 due to their new club being under a transfer ban when they arrived.
Turan was picked to start by manager Luis Enrique. He seemed to quickly develop a rapport with his new team-mates, per OptaCan on Twitter: "Ten of Arda Turan's 14 successful passes and crosses in the first half were played either to Lionel Messi (six) or Dani Alves (four)."
The Turkey international made way after 62 minutes, the same time in the match that Vidal was introduced in place of Alves.
The availability of both players adds extra depth to Barcelona's squad for a hectic second-half of the season.
Loser: Espanyol
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Despite making a dream start, Espanyol endured a nightmare finish at the Camp Nou.
Having held their city rivals to a 0-0 draw at home in league action on Saturday, a second meeting inside a week looked to be going swimmingly for Constantin Galca's side when Caicedo struck early on.
Barcelona hit back, but even at 3-1 down, the visitors were still alive in the last-16 tie with 20 minutes to play in the first leg.
However, the wheels came off for Espanyol in the final quarter of what was a fiery derby.
Perez and Diop were both dismissed after picking up second yellow cards, while the deficit grew in the closing minutes when Neymar volleyed in a fabulous fourth goal for the hosts.
Winner: Andres Iniesta
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Messi was the headline act for Barcelona, but Andres Iniesta's performance should not be completely overlooked.
The midfielder split open Espanyol's defence to set up the home side's equaliser after 12 minutes; his pinpoint pass left Messi with just goalkeeper Lopez to beat.
The same pair also combined with a short corner soon after half-time to create Pique's goal.
Manager Enrique was full of praise for his outstanding captain, per Barcelona's official Twitter feed: "Iniesta has unique peripheral vision. He is a magical player"
Loser: Luis Suarez
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While Messi and Neymar both scored, the third member of Barcelona's star-studded forward line endured a frustrating night in front of goal.
Luis Suarez only managed to pick up a booking in the Copa del Rey tie.
For the second successive game, the former Liverpool player drew a blank against Espanyol, though it wasn't for a lack of trying.
His best opportunity came in the final minute of the game. Neymar's chipped pass over the top found Messi, who in turn volleyed across the goal to the waiting Suarez.
But from close range, the Uruguay international was only able to turn his attempt onto the roof of the net. It was that kind of night for Suarez, though at least his colleagues had better luck in front of goal.
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