Barcelona's quest for a fifth consecutive Copa del Rey title saw the LaLiga leaders overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit to knock out Sevilla.
2018/2019 Copa del Rey
6-1
Match Report
Philippe Coutinho scored twice as Barcelona produced a brilliant comeback in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final against Sevilla, a thumping 6-1 win sealing a last-four place.
Sevilla, beaten in the final by Barca in two of the past three years, deservedly won the first leg at home 2-0 when Ernesto Valverde's decision to rest captain Lionel Messi backfired badly.
Messi was back in the team for Wednesday's return at Camp Nou and he inspired a dramatic comeback that saw Ivan Rakitic and Sergi Roberto add to Coutinho's well-taken brace before Luis Suarez and the Barca captain himself compounded Sevilla's misery.
Before Messi and Suarez made sure of Barca's progression, Guilherme Arana - after a VAR review for a penalty at the other end - had set up a grandstand finish, while Ever Banega having a first-half penalty saved by Jasper Cillessen proved a key moment in the second leg.
Barcelona have won the Copa del Rey in each of the last four seasons and the LaLiga leaders are on track to make it five in a row after a stunning performance.
Match Events
13'Penalty Goal! Barcelona 1-0 Sevilla (Coutinho)
GOAL! 1-0 BARCA! Coutinho steps up, cool as a cucumber, and slots the penalty kick low to Soriano's right. It's 2-1 on aggregate now, and that early goal will do Barca a lot of good.
27'Penalty Missed! (Banega)
That was a great save by Cillessen, even if it was just the right height for him. Sevilla's advantage remains only one goal.
31'GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Sevilla (Rakitic)
GOAL! 2-0 BARCA! Sevilla's two-goal advantage has been reduced to dust! A spectacular Arthur pass is rushed onto by Rakitic who gets a toe-poke on it just before Soriano arrives and it slowly rolls into the net.
53'GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Sevilla (Coutinho)
GOAL! 3-0 BARCA! Barca take the lead on aggregate! Suarez, drifting on the right, floats a delightful chipped cross towards the heart of Sevilla's defence. Coutinho pops up to power a low header past Soriano!
54'GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla (Roberto)
GOAL! 4-0 BARCA! There's surely no way back for Sevilla now. Messi dribbles inside from the right, almost in slow motion, and lays a cute ball to Roberto who sweeps the ball into the net.
67'GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Sevilla (Arana)
GOAL! 4-1, and a lifeline for Sevilla! Banega picks up the ball just outside Barca's box and cannily passes across to an onrushing Arana who spanks the ball into the net first-time. Pick that out.
89'GOAL! Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla (Suarez)
GOAL! 5-1 BARCA! 5-3 on aggregate, and that will be that. Sevilla get a corner on their left which Barca boot upfield. Messi gives chase and latches onto it! The ball's quickly worked to Alba on the other side and he crosses for Suarez to poke in and finish the game off! A wonderful goal.
92'GOAL! Barcelona 6-1 Sevilla (Messi)
GOAL! 6-1 BARCA! This has turned into an almighty rout, and it came after Sevilla won a free-kick in Barca's half. Again Sevilla leave themselves short at the back and Barca break. There's some wonderful passing play involving flicks, one-twos and dummies in Sevilla's box, and Messi's the one who fires it in.
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: L. Messi, L. Suárez, Piqué, I. Rakitić, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Philippe Coutinho, S.Roberto, Jasper Cillessen, Lenglet, Arthur
Subs: Prince, T. Vermaelen, Vidal, M. ter Stegen, Semedo, Carles Aleñá, Malcom
Sevilla XI: S. Kjær, É. Banega, Carriço, Sarabia, S.Gómez, Amadou, Q. Promes, Mesa, André Silva, Juan Soriano, Guilherme Arana
Subs: G. Mercado, T. Vaclík, F.Vázquez, Ben Yedder, Rog, Javi Vázquez, Bryan Gil