Barça breaks its bad streak and starts 2025 by beating Barbastro in the Cup (0-4)

There was no epic in Aragon territory. The Catalan team punished the lack of defensive strength and imposed its law. Goals from Eric García, Pablo Torre and Lewandowski, the latter twice, led Hansi Flick's pupils to the next phase. Thus, the bad streak stayed in 2024 and the culés will travel to Saudi Arabia to play the Spanish Super Cup with high morale.

The duel between Barbastro and FC Barcelona was a debut match for the culés. It was the debut of 2025, of the competition, of Szczesny and Araujo this season. In front was an old acquaintance, an opponent that they faced, and suffered to win, the previous year in the same round of the Copa del Rey.

Head for victory

The Blaugranas, on this occasion dressed in black, soon felt comfortable on the pitch. They dominated possession, as the home side did not put up any obstacles. The only thing Flick's men lacked in the early stages was depth, as the ball moved from side to side without creating any danger.

Even so, the first chances soon began to arrive and they set a precedent: a cross into the area, a guaranteed threat. In fact, that was how the first scare came, in the 7th minute, after a free kick taken from the side by Pablo Torre and finished off at the penalty spot by Koundé. It went slightly wide, but the 'balls to the pot' would give the Barcelona players several joys.

The Catalan side moved the ball calmly and had already discovered their secret weapon, so the goals were not long in coming. After a header from Araujo was blocked by Arnau Fàbrega, the Uruguayan directed a pass from Frenkie de Jong to the penalty spot and Eric García headed it into the back of the net.

Barça already had the antidote to Barbastro: aerial play. Luuk de Jong was probably at home eager to wear the Blaugrana jersey to join the header party. However, Lewandowski marked his territory after half an hour of play, pushing a ball sent to the far post by Pablo Torre with his head.

With the essence of the game already uncovered, the men in black finished the first half constantly reaching their rival's dangerous areas, although they did not manage to increase their advantage. Barbastro was hurt by the blows and the visitors wanted to draw blood. The desire to show that the bad dynamic was here for 2024 was evident.

Rout and qualification for the round of 16

The second half started on a high note for FC Barcelona as, after a combination of passes, Fermín chipped the ball and left Lewandowski alone. Without hesitation, the Polish striker faced the challenge and beat the rival goalkeeper with a low shot that was just inside the left post.

Far from the brave performance of Barbastro last season, this year they were having a very bad time. In the league, in the Second Federation, they are in the relegation zone and, despite having eliminated Amorebieta (4-0) and Espanyol (2-0) in the Cup, Barça were beating them. If the punishment was not enough, an error by Arnau Fàbrega in the ball out meant that Pablo Torre, in the six-yard box, practically pushed the ball into an empty goal.

In the last 20 minutes, as a result of the relaxation and the rotations, the culés' inaccuracies made an appearance. The local team, for its part, did not give up and tried to make up for the result, but was not able to do so. Ansu Fati had a couple of chances to score the fifth goal, but he was not successful either. So there was no time for more and FC Barcelona advanced to the round of 16 with a thrashing.

Match details

• UD Barbastro, 0: Arnau Fàbrega (Méndez, min. 86); Hugo Bautista, Javito (Manu Castillo, min. 79), Jaime (Marc Prat, min. 54), Sito Barrera; Alonso (Jurgi Oteo, min. 79), Javi Albín; and Ander (Gastón, min. 54).
• FC Barcelona, ​​4: Szczesny; Koundé (Cubarsí, min. 62), Araujo, Iñigo Martínez (Sergi Domínguez, min. 62), Gerard Martín; Eric García, De Jong; Fermín, Pablo Torre (Toni Fernández, min. 80), Pedri (Gavi, min. 46); and Lewandowski (Ansu Fati, min. 62).
• Goals: 0-1 Eric García (min. 21). 0-2 Lewandowski (min. 31). 0-3 Lewandowski (min. 46). 0-4 Pablo Torre (min. 56).
• Referee: Díaz de Mera (Castilla-La Mancha Committee). He cautioned the home team's Alonso and the Barcelona player Lewandowski.

Barça are now in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey and will know who they are going to face in the draw, which will take place on January 8. Follow the draw and all the latest news from Barça on FCBN.