MADRID – Barcelona overcame a resilient third-division side, Guadalajara, with two late goals from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford, securing a 2-0 victory in the Copa del Rey’s round of 32 on Tuesday. The match faced a delay due to issues with the stadium’s temporary seating arrangements.
The kickoff was postponed by 30 minutes as fans were initially barred from entering the newly constructed grandstand at Guadalajara’s Pedro Escartín stadium, located near Madrid. This delay was prompted by local authorities’ safety concerns.
As the situation was resolved, police eventually allowed entry, leading to long queues outside. The new seating expanded the stadium’s capacity from nearly 6,000 to approximately 8,000 spectators.
Barcelona dominated possession from the outset but found it challenging to break through their lower-tier opponents’ defense.
It wasn’t until the 76th minute that Christensen ended the stalemate, nodding home a Frenkie De Jong cross. The ball took a fortunate deflection off a defender before finding the back of the net.
Despite some attempts from the home side to level the score, they were unable to convert, and Rashford clinched the win with a decisive breakaway goal in the 90th minute.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick rested some of the team’s regular starters ahead of Spanish league leader’s visit to third-place Villarreal on Sunday.
Other results
In the upset of the night, second-division Deportivo La Coruna eliminated top-flight Mallorca 1-0.
The other first-division clubs advanced. Real Sociedad defeated Eldense 2-1 with a winner deep into stoppage time, while Valencia beat Sporting Gijon 2-0.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid visits third-division club Talavera, while Atletico Madrid is at fourth-tier team Atletico Baleares.
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