Valencia v Barcelona – story of the match

Barca are through to their fifth successive Copa Del Rey final.

Published Feb 8, 2018

Supporting image for story — Philippe Coutinho scored his first Barcelona goal to help them through to the final of the Copa Del Rey (Alberto Saiz/AP)

Record signing Philippe Coutinho came off the bench to score his first goal for Barcelona as they advanced to the Copa del Rey final with a 2-0 win at Valencia, progressing 3-0 on aggregate.

Coutinho was brought off the bench at half-time for his fifth appearance since his mega-money switch from Liverpool last month and scored four minutes after the restart, sending the ball into the corner of the net having slid to meet Luis Suarez’s cross.

Ivan Rakitic, also teed up by Suarez, then added the visitors’ second in the 82nd minute to secure progress to a showdown against Sevilla – which will be defending champions Barcelona’s fifth consecutive Copa del Rey final.

Coutinho was making his fifth Barcelona appearance since joining from Liverpool (Alberto Saiz/AP)

Star man – Luis Suarez

Suarez provided two assists (John Walton/EMPICS)

Moment of the match

Coutinho’s goal. Certainly the Brazil playmaker has produced more beautiful finishes in his career, but this one will always be special for him.

Data point

Barcelona are aiming to win the Copa del Rey for a 30th time.

Ratings

Valencia: Jaume Domenech 6, Jose Gaya 6, Ezequiel Garay 6, Gabriel Paulista 5, Martin Montoya 6, Rodrigo 6, Geoffrey Kondogbia 6, Daniel Parejo 6, Francis Coquelin 6, Simone Zaza 5, Luciano Vietto 5. Substitutes: Carlos Soler (for Rodrigo, 55) 6, Goncalo Guedes (for Coquelin, 55) 6, Ruben Vezo (for Garay, 71) 5.

Barcelona: Jasper Cillessen 7, Sergi Roberto 6, Gerard Pique 7, Samuel Umtiti 7, Jordi Alba 6, Andre Gomes 5, Ivan Rakitic 7, Sergio Busquets 7, Andres Iniesta 7, Lionel Messi 8, Luis Suarez 8. Substitutes: Philippe Coutinho (for Gomes, HT) 7, Paulinho (for Iniesta, 65) 6, Yerry Mina (for Pique 83) 6.