Barcelona: Philippe Coutinho struck twice as Barcelona mounted a terrific comeback to thrash Sevilla 6-1 and sweep into the Copa del Rey semifinals 6-3 on aggregate, here Wednesday.
After a 0-2 defeat in Seville last week in which they rested key players, the Catalans broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Coutinho slotted home from the penalty spot following Quincy Promes’s foul on Lionel Messi.
Messi handed Coutinho the ball and the Brazilian playmaker converted the spot-kick, ending a run of poor form. “Leo encouraged me to take the penalty and that helped me gain confidence,” said Coutinho. “The gesture shows what a great person he is.”
Sevilla nearly equalised but Jasper Cillessen produced a brilliant save from Andre Silva’s backheel, before the Dutch goalkeeper palmed away Ever Banega’s penalty.
Barcelona pulled the game level on aggregate in the 32nd minute when Ivan Rakitic nudged the ball past Juan Soriano with the faintest of touches after a sensational pass from Arthur.
Two goals in a two-minute spell after the break helped Barcelona race ahead, with Coutinho heading in from Luis Suarez’s cross and Sergi Roberto tucking home a ball from Messi.
Guilherme Arana pulled a goal back for Sevilla with a powerful drive, but Pablo Machin’s side were finally sunk when Suarez struck on the break and Messi added a late sixth.
Agencies
