Barcelona vs. Alaves: Score, Analysis and Grades

Barcelona easily cruised past Alaves, 3-1, in the second leg of their Copa del Rey matchup. 

The outcome was not a surprise, and there was very little hope of Alaves coming out on top since they entered this match needing to overcome a three-goal deficit that Barcelona hung on them in the first leg. 

Still, there was a small glimmer of hope as Viguera netted a goal in just the 16th minute to give his side a 1-0 advantage. 

It was all Barca from there. Adriano scored the equalizer in the 35th minute and this match entered halftime tied at one. 

Barcelona easily controlled the action in the second half, and a barrage by David Villa midway through the second half really put the nail in the coffin. Villa netted a goal in the 56th minute and again in the 59th to give Barca a 3-1 lead. 

Honestly, there wasn't much that was compelling about this match. Lionel Messi and other Barca stars weren't even on the pitch and Alaves still couldn't manage to keep it competitive.

Grades

David Villa: A

With a lack of star power on the pitch for Barca, Villa stepped up and was the force of this match. His two goals ended any doubt about this contest. It was a fine performance for Villa. 

Jose Manuel Pinto: B

Pinto doesn't get a lot of time to flash his skills in goal for Barca, but the Copa del Rey is his time to shine. 

He allowed the early goal, but he looked solid and did more than enough on this day to earn an above-average grade. 

Viguera: B

Viguera deserves a ton of credit for netting that early goal and helping give his team a glimmer of hope, but he was essentially a non factor after that, and he was subbed in the 67th minute. 

Sergio Herrera: C

If Alaves was going to stay in this match, it was going to take a heroic effort from their keeper. They didn't get it. Herrera did what he could, and that wasn't enough.