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Tag Philippe Coutinho

Sport

FC Barcelona demolish Sevilla with spectacular 6-1 Cup comeback

Demolition
Barcelona (Spain), Jan. 31, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Philippe Coutinho struck twice as FC Barcelona mounted a comeback to thrash Sevilla 6-1 and sweep into the Copa del Rey semi-finals 6-3 on aggregate on Wednesday.
After a 2-0 defeat in Seville last week in which they rested key players, the Catalans broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.
That was when Coutinho slotted home from the penalty kick spot after 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.

Sevilla nearly equalised but goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen produced a brilliant save from Andre Silva’s backheel, before the Dutch goalkeeper palmed away Ever Banega’s penalty kick

Gerrard Pique fouled Roque Mesa and after a long delay while the incident was checked by VAR, Argentina midfielder Banega fired to the goalkeeper’s left.

But Cillessen flew across to keep the ball out.

FC 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 FC arcelona 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 after the otherwise impressive Cillessen gave the ball away.

But Pablo Machin’s side were finally sunk when Suarez struck on the break and Messi added a late sixth.

Earlier Real Betis, whose Benito Villamarin stadium will host the final in May, beat Espanyol 3-1 at home after extra-time to progress 4-1 on aggregate.

Leo Baptistao headed Espanyol in front after 33 minutes but Giovani Lo Celso equalised in the 76th minute before Marc Roca was dismissed for the visitors.

Betis capitalised on their numerical advantage in extra time, with Sergio Leon and Aissa Mandi’s strikes earning them a semi-final spot.(Reuters/NAN)

VO/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)
Sport

Barca book Cup semi-final spot as Coutinho makes debut

NAN-S-2
FC Barcelona
Abuja, Jan. 26, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Holders FC Barcelona reached the King’s Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Espanyol to overcome a first-leg deficit on a night when new signing Philippe Coutinho made his debut.

Early goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi calmed the nerves at the Nou Camp on Thursday.

This was after Barca’s great rivals Real Madrid, as well as Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, had been knocked out of this season’s competition by unfancied opponents.

Facing city rivals Espanyol was a potential banana skin for Ernesto Valverde’s side, who lost last week’s first leg 1-0.

But FC Barcelona were rarely troubled in front of a vibrant Nou Camp.

Barca’s new Brazilian attacking midfielder Coutinho was given a standing ovation when he came on to take his bow in the second-half.

He had arrived from Liverpool this month for a club record fee of 142 million pounds (200.65 million dollars).

His every touch was loudly cheered on a night when Barca bade farewell to their versatile Argentine Javier Mascherano who is joining Chinese Super League side Heibei China Fortune.

Mascherano was given a guard of honour before the game in recognition of his seven-and-a-half years at the Nou Camp.

Suarez levelled the score in the tie after eight minutes, nodding in Aleix Vidal’s cross from close range to put Barca ahead.

Then, Messi’s deflected effort from distance in the 25th ensured place in the last four.

Espanyol produced a spirited late comeback but were almost caught on the break when Messi headed against the post.

Barca join Real Madrid’s conquerors Leganes, Valencia, who on Wednesday beat last season’s runners-up Alaves on penalties, and Sevilla, who thrashed Atletico Madrid, in Friday’s draw for the semis.

The first leg ties are to be played next Wednesday.(Reuters/NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)