2024 Copa del Rey: Unionistas Bow Out Gracefully, While Barcelona Strolls into the Quarterfinals
Salamanca, Spain – Unionistas’ Magical Run Concludes
The Estadio Helmántico witnessed the end of Unionistas de Salamanca’s awe-inspiring Copa del Rey journey on Wednesday night, as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat against the mighty Barcelona. Despite the setback, the Segunda División B side etched special moments into the hearts of their ardent fans, leaving them with pride in their performance against one of the world’s elite teams.
Xavi’s Barcelona: A Work in Progress
For Barcelona, the victory provided a much-needed respite from a turbulent start to the season. While they’ve faced inconsistencies in La Liga and a disappointing Champions League group-stage exit, their Copa del Rey form has been impressive, fueling their confidence in securing the title.
Xavi made strategic changes to his lineup for the Unionistas clash, yet the Blaugrana’s superior quality proved insurmountable. Ousmane Dembélé’s stunning strike from outside the box in the 20th minute ignited the scoring, followed by Ronald Araújo’s towering header just before halftime, doubling the lead. Ferran Torres sealed the victory with a third goal in the second half, cementing Barcelona’s dominance.
Unionistas Give Barcelona a Glimpse of Vulnerability
Despite the vast gulf in stature, Unionistas gave Barcelona a few anxious moments in the first half. The Segunda División B side created scoring opportunities, even hitting the woodwork through Mario Losada’s attempt. However, Barcelona’s class eventually shone through, securing a comfortable victory.
Unionistas: Pride in Their Copa del Rey Journey
Although defeated by Barcelona, Unionistas can hold their heads high for their Copa del Rey run. They eliminated two La Liga teams en route to the quarterfinals and gave Barcelona a scare on Wednesday night. This Segunda División B side has proven to be a team to watch, and they’ll undoubtedly aim to build on this success next season.
Barcelona’s Path to the Quarterfinals
Barcelona’s victory over Unionistas sets the stage for a captivating quarterfinal clash with Real Madrid. The two Spanish giants will face off at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 8, promising an enthralling encounter. Barcelona seeks revenge for their 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier this season, while Real Madrid aims to eliminate their rivals from the Copa del Rey.
The Draw for the Copa del Rey Quarterfinals
The draw for the Copa del Rey quarterfinals will take place on Thursday, February 23. The remaining eight teams will be divided into two pots based on their league positions, with the four La Liga teams in one pot and the four Segunda División B teams in the other.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will conduct the draw, which will be broadcast live on Spanish television. The quarterfinals will be played on March 8 and 9, followed by the semifinals on March 22 and 23. The final will be held on April 29 at the Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville.
Match Summary: Unionistas de Salamanca 0-3 Barcelona
Goals:
* Ousmane Dembélé (20′)
* Ronald Araújo (43′)
* Ferran Torres (70′)
Lineups:
Unionistas de Salamanca:
* Salva de la Cruz
* Mario Losada
* Carlos de la Nava
* Miki Muñoz
* Javi Navas
* Diego González
* Pablo Espina
* Deivid Rodríguez
* Chris Ramos
* Isaac Obeng
* Manu Sánchez
Barcelona:
* Marc-André ter Stegen
* Ronald Araújo
* Andreas Christensen
* Eric García
* Jordi Alba
* Sergio Busquets
* Frenkie de Jong
* Gavi
* Ousmane Dembélé
* Ferran Torres
* Robert Lewandowski
Attendance:
11,000
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