🇪🇸 Barcelona squeeze past Real Sociedad into Copa del Rey semi-finals | OneFootball

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Joel Sanderson-Murray·25 January 2023

🇪🇸 Barcelona squeeze past Real Sociedad into Copa del Rey semi-finals

Article image:🇪🇸 Barcelona squeeze past Real Sociedad into Copa del Rey semi-finals

Barcelona are through to the Copa del Rey semi-finals after winning a hard-fought clash against the in-form Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.

Scorer: Dembélé 52′.


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La Real went into the game on the back of a five-match winning run and made things difficult for the hosts in what was a fiercely-contested first half in Barcelona.

Takefusa Kubo came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first period, smashing the crossbar from 12 yards out with goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen beaten.

It looked as if the visitors were going to be a hard nut to crack for Xavi’s side but their task was made easier when Sociedad were reduced to ten man just before half-time.

Braiz Méndez was shown a red card after a late and high challenge on Sergio Busquets – given after the referee had been advised by the VAR to go over to the pitch-side monitor.

Barça took advantage of that to nip ahead early in the second period thanks to the impressive Ousmane Dembélé who smashed a shot in at the near-post from a tight angle after being sent through by Jules Koundé.

Barcelona looked in control of the possession and space after that opener but they almost got dragged back into the tie twice by Sociedad.

First, Alexander Sørloth somehow sliced the ball over the bar from four yards out and the goal gaping after being picked out by Kubo at the back post.

Then some sloppy defending in the dying minutes left substitute Carlos Fernandez with a one-on-one chance but Ter Stegen kept the effort out with a strong left arm.

The German had to be called upon again in the final minute to palm out a fierce Aihen Munoz shot but Barcelona held out to reach the final four.