Barcelona vs. Sevilla: Score, Report and Reaction from Copa del Rey Final 2016

Barcelona took the 2016 Copa del Rey with a 2-0 extra-time win over Sevilla at Estadio Vicente Calderon on Sunday.   

Jordi Alba netted the opening goal of the game in the first period of additional time, slotting into the corner of the net after collecting a fine assist from Lionel Messi.

Neymar then added a second in the 122nd minute of the clash to put further gloss on the result, with Sevilla's defenders short on energy in the dying moments.

Barca were forced to hold on for large portions of the game after Javier Mascherano was shown a red card 10 minutes before the break, but manager Unai Emery's men didn't see their advantage pay dividends.

Ever Banega was also sent in for an early bath in second-half stoppage time for a professional foul on Neymar as the match extended into additional time following a flurry of bookings late on, as Daniel Carrico's red saw Sevilla reduced to nine men.

The win secures Barca manager Luis Enrique a league and cup double for the second consecutive year and the club's 28th Copa del Rey title.

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

The clash started with a bright, positive tempo with both sides eager to make an early impression.

Luis Suarez, scorer of 59 goals in all competitions this term, had the first chance of the match inside the opening eight minutes. Andres Iniesta superbly scooped a delightful pass over the head of the Sevilla back line, but the Uruguayan forward could only strike the bouncing effort off target. 

Argentinian sensation Messi suffered a strong but fair challenge early on that left him in a crumpled heap, with Sevilla refusing to be overawed by the Liga champions following their UEFA Europa League crowning last week.

Coke—the star of the final in Basel, Switzerland—had the Andalusians' opening effort, skewing Mariano's by-line cutback wide of goal before Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen swatted away the follow-up cross.

Yahoo La Liga reporter Andrew Gaffney admired Sevilla's start to the contest:

Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Dermot Corrigan was impressed with the promising early passages from Emery's side:

Brazilian right-back Dani Alves was the next man to put an effort on goal, fizzing a darting effort toward Sergio Rico's net that bounced wide of the post.

In a moment of light relief, Sevilla defender Adil Rami tripped and fell while chasing Neymar down the left flank and attempted to head the ball out of play while grounded.

Spanish football expert Sid Lowe caught the moment unfold:

With 36 minutes gone, Barcelona were reduced to 10 men after Mascherano was dismissed for pulling down Kevin Gameiro outside the box with no defenders covering. Argentinian playmaker Banega struck a fine effort toward the top corner well kept out by the fingertips of Barca's German stopper.

JOSEP LAGO/Getty Images

OptaJose revealed the troubling statistic for Luis Enrique's centre-half:

Sky Sports Statto noted details of Barca's disciplinary record:

Despite being a man light, Barca went on to create the next chance of the tie as Gerard Pique met Ivan Rakitic's corner perfectly inside the box but could only head over the crossbar.

Following more intricate play from Neymar on the edge of the box, the ball eventually fell to Messi on the cusp of the area, but the 28-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner could only stab a weak effort away from goal.

After his side failed to record a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, Enrique made the decision to replace Rakitic in favour of Jeremy Mathieu to shore up the back four. 

Football journalist Rik Sharma was unsure about the switch:

Despite Barca being reduced moments before the half-time break, Goal's Spain correspondent, Ben Hayward, felt they were able to use their goalkeeper as an additional outfield player:

Banega went close to breaking the deadlock five minutes after the interval, striking a low effort off the inside of the post with Ter Stegen stranded. Pique's outstretched boot made a significant difference, tipping the rifled shot onto the woodwork and away from goal.

Messi—who had been on the receiving end of some rough challenges throughout the contest—was again in the wars after he clashed heads with Daniel Carrico in the box, leaving him with a large bump on the left of his forehead.

JOSEP LAGO/Getty Images

Seconds later, another Blaugrana player was cut down when Suarez was unable to continue after appearing to damage his hamstring. Stretching for a high ball moments earlier, the Pichichi Trophy winner hobbled off the field holding the back of his right leg before being replaced by Rafinha.

The removal of the prolific forward would not just be felt by Barca supporters, but by Uruguayans, too, according to the Mirror's Ed Malyon:

Marca football writer Peter Coates captured an image of Suarez in tears in the dugout:

Sevilla's pressure on the Barca defence intensified past the hour mark, forcing some superb last-ditch defending from Sergio Busquets to twice keep the Liga champions from falling behind after a low strike initially from Grzegorz Krychowiak.

With Barca firmly on the back foot, the Guardian's Barney Ronay took a moment to acknowledge Barca's position in the clash:

Iniesta was scathed down 25 yards from goal with 15 minutes remaining, allowing Messi to set up a free-kick routine from his preferred distance. After considerable buildup from the Vicente Calderon crowd, the effort was anticlimactic as Rico got down well to make a routine save to his left.

With five minutes remaining, the referee showed Neymar a yellow card for simulation after he fell to the ground outside the area as he failed to latch onto a through ball. After abstaining from presenting yellow cards for the duration of the match, the referee brandished bookings to Iniesta, Alba and Alves. He would go on to show Vicente Iborra late on in the tie.

Gaffney praised the ref's decisions in a match full of incidents:

In the first minute of added time, Banega was shown a straight red card for a cynical foul—he clattered into Brazil international Neymar on the edge of the area after being beaten for pace. Messi once again stepped up for the set piece, but Rico did well to tip his effort over the bar.

AS provided some photographs of the key moments during the first 90 minutes as the match extended into extra time:

With seven minutes played in extra time, Alba found the decisive breakthrough, superbly finishing from a tight angle after latching onto Messi's floated ball toward the back post. Netting his first goal of the season, the marauding left-back found the bottom corner under the feet of Rico to put Barca in front.

Former Barca striker Gary Lineker hailed the assist from the Argentinian forward:

Messi almost doubled his team's lead moments later, forcing a double-handed save from Rico. Pique's header across goal required a sublime save from the stopper before he was called into action for a third time in quick succession to deny an Alves drive.

With legs tiring between both sets of players, even the referee was feeling the effects of the lengthy tie, forcing a temporary delay of the match so he could receive treatment for a cramp on the sideline.

Sevilla ended the match with nine players on the field after Carrico was shown his second yellow card of the contest with a tough challenge on Messi.

Barca sealed victory in the second minute of extra-time stoppage time, as Neymar found the bottom corner from close range with Sevilla's defence lethargic and stripped wide apart. Messi was once again the creator, but the Europa League champions could do nothing to prevent the Brazilian from adding a second.

Consecutive league and cup doubles for Barca represent an impressive first two seasons in charge at the Camp Nou for Enrique. The Blaugrana were forced to work hard after losing Mascherano to an early bath and then Suarez to injury, but Messi's magical assist allowed Alba to settle the contest before Neymar's late strike.

Post-Match Reaction

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

His latest Copa del Rey success means Enrique has now won seven trophies in his two seasons at the helm in Catalonia after taking over for Gerardo Martino.

The former understudy has proved his tactical nous in bringing the best out of his devastating attacking trio, with results and success flowing back in earnest. 

Enrique hailed his team’s performance in the final after the full-time whistle, per their Twitter account: “It was a spectacular final. The team is made of champions, I congratulate them.”

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes the result would leave a legacy: 

Meanwhile, Spain international and team captain Iniesta praised his team-mates for their contributions during the campaign. Per Football-Espana, the midfielder told TV3:

"

It was great to win like this, with 10 men, and the cup rounds off a magnificent season.

We were dealt a setback, but a trophy has followed, along with a very good match for us, and we’re very happy.

We’ve finished the season very happily. It’s been a very good season, a magnificent one, and we continue to expand the club’s history. We have the squad to keep winning things.

"

Meanwhile, Emery provided calming comments in defeat, stating his comfort in the display, per Sevilla’s social media account: “I am very proud of the work this team did in the [Copa del Rey final].”