Barcelona Cruise Past Cordoba in Copa Del Rey
Barcelona set up a Copa del Rey quarterfinal clash with Valencia after outclassing Cordoba at the Camp Nou on Thursday night.
David Villa and Alexis Sanchez scored two apiece with Thiago Alcantara also on target in a routine run-out.
With Tito Villanova's side posting a 2-0 first-leg lead prior to Christmas, the Barca boss left many of his main men out with more than half an eye on the weekend trip to Malaga.
It mattered little, as the La Liga leaders found their familiar swagger and dominated the game from the off.
The Segunda Division outfit didn't aid their own cause by gifting the hosts an opener. A loose ball out from the back allowed Alcantara to intercept, advance and finish.
Villa then showed a reminder of his class with a pair of goals five minutes apart to make it 3-0 midway through the first half.
The first was gorgeous (see video). After being rolled into the left-hand channel of the box, Villa switched feet exquisitely past his man on the byline before flicking impudently over the advancing Mikel Saizar and into the net.
His second was just as clinical if not as individual, as the Spanish international fired home from just inside the box after another flowing Barca move.
From there on, it could have been any score, but credit to Cordoba for making it interesting at both ends and not allowing the hosts to pass the game to bed.
Alexis Sanchez nodded home a fourth from close range just after the restart, but Cordoba gave as good as they got until the finish.
Jose Pinto—standing in for Victor Valdes—had to field a couple of shots around the hour mark, as the visitors began to savour the occasion and surroundings without scoring.
Sanchez eventually bundled home a fifth five minutes from time after a number of other presentable opportunities had been passed up.
Barcelona now head to Malaga's La Rosaleda stadium on Sunday in fine fettle after another handsome win. Los Boquerones were also in cup action—beating Elbar 4-1 to make a date with holders Barcelona in the next stage.
Manuel Pellegrini's men lost away to Deportivo La Coruna last time out, but the Chilean will be hoping his side can repeat the performance of a fine 3-2 victory over Real Madrid at the end of last year.
However, Barcelona have won the last eight meetings between the pair and have ploughed home 29 goals over that stretch. With Valdes, Pique, Alba, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro and Messi not required for Cup duty, Barcelona will go into the game refreshed as they chase a 12th straight La Liga win.
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