Barcelona are through to their fifth Copa del Rey final in a row after they won 0-2 at Valencia on Thursday! Rodrigo came close to levelling the tie when he headed against the bar in the first half, but Messi fired a shot just wide at the other end, and some five minutes after the restart half time substitute Coutinho turned in a Luis Suárez cross to open the scoring. Cillessen had to save in particular from Gayà after that, but with eight minutes to go Suárez set up Rakitic for the second, and it was all over. Barcelona and Sevilla will meet again in the final as they did two seasons ago, the venue probably being Atlético Madrid’s Wanda stadium on 21 st April. (08.02.18)
Sevilla are the first team to reach this year’s cup final after they beat Leganés 2-0 on Wednesday. Joaquín Correa gave the Andalusians an early lead following good work by Muriel, and Tito had to clear off the line from Banega later in the first half. However a goal from the visitors would have taken the tie into extra time, and Beauvue in particular went close a couple of times before Sandro set up Franco Vázquez on a late breakaway to wrap things up. This will be Sevilla’s ninth final in four years after their recent successes, particularly in the Europa League. Leganés bow out though with their heads held high after the best cup run in their history. (07.02.18)