After a dramatic first half, a second-half flurry from Barcelona helped them overcome Spanish third-tier outfit Villanovense in the Copa del Rey as they ran out 6-1 winners.
Dani Alves opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a long-range thunderbolt that left goalkeeper Fuentes with no chance, although the stopper was wholly at fault for Barcelona’s second, as he gifted the ball to Sandro Ramirez.
Villanovense might have folded, but instead, they struck back through Juanfran Guarnido, who responded in sterling style with a long-range effort just before the half-hour mark.
Had Villanovense remained tight until the half-time whistle, things might have been different, but Sandro Ramirez scored two minutes later to reassert Barca’s dominance.
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The second half—in contrast to the first—was a one-sided affair, with Munir scoring twice—first thanks to a Jeremy Mathieu cross and then after a superb backheel from Sandro—either side of a powerful Ramirez effort as he completed his hat-trick.
Here are the Barcelona Player Ratings vs. Villanovense:
Masip: 7/10
Dani Alves: 8/10
Appeared to be at his rampant best down the right flank, and an early goal set the tone for the tie.
Javier Mascherano: 8/10
Appeared liberated creatively and sought to launch the side’s offensive players with his long-range passing.
Thomas Vermalen : 7/10
Marc Bartra : 7.5/10
Jeremy Mathieu: 8/10
A fine cross for Munir’s first goal, but he was replaced with injury during the second period—an unfortunate ending to a promising showings.
Munir : 9.5./10
Has been criticised in some quarters for not building on his early promise with Barca, but he demonstrated here—admittedly against weaker opponents—that all of the electricity and twinkling dribbling is intact.
Sergi Samper: 8/10
Samper’s composed and controlled display in the heart of the park makes it much easier to understand why Barcelona were happy to released Thiago Alcantara.
Aitor: 7/10
Looked tidy and refined without truly stealing the show, contributed the assist for Barcelona’s third.
Sandro: 10/10
Outshone some of his more well-known wonderkid counterparts with a truly outstanding display. While his hat-trick was exceptional, the backheeled assist for Munir’s second was something special, and he was lively and alert throughout.
Adriano: 7/10
Substitutes
Gumbau 7/10
Replaced Dani Alves at the break, but wasn’t as adventurous as his predecessor.