Barcelona advanced to the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup with a resounding 5-1 victory over Real Betis on Wednesday. The star of the show was 17-year-old Lamine Yamalwho put on a dazzling display at the Olympic Stadium.
Gavi opened the scoring for Barcelona early in the match, and the Catalans continued to dominate with goals from Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Yamal himself. The young winger’s performance was particularly impressive, as he scored and helped create two more goals.
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Barcelona’s confidence was high coming into the match, having recently won the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia by thrashing Real Madrid. Despite resting key players like Robert Lewandowski, the team’s attacking prowess was on full display.
Pau Cubarsi, a 17-year-old defender who came through Barcelona’s youth academy alongside Yamal, praised his teammate’s performance.
“I’ve been enjoying watching him for many years, now the whole world is, and he deserves it all.”
Barcelona’s dominance was evident from the start, with Dani Olmo, who recently obtained a temporary playing license, starting as a false nine in place of Lewandowski. Olmo was involved in the opening goal and had several chances of his own, hitting the post and firing over.
Kounde scored Barcelona’s second goal after a sublime pass from Yamal, exploiting the right side of Betis’ defense. Although Kounde had a second goal disallowed for a marginal offside, Barcelona continued to create chances.
In the second half, Yamal had a goal of his own disallowed for an offside in the build-up, but it didn’t matter as Raphinha scored minutes later after another surging run from the young winger. Ferran Torres added a fourth goal, and Yamal finally got on the scoresheet himself with a near-post finish.
Betis managed to pull one back from the penalty spot through Vitor Roque, who is on loan from Barcelona, after Kounde fouled Jesus Rodriguez in the area.
After the game, Gavi praised Yamal as the best player in the world after Lionel Messi, and coach Hansi Flick also commended the winger’s talent.
“Gavi’s very emotional, so I say also yes (he’s the best),” joked Flick.
“You can see it, in great matches you see big talent and he showed it many many times, he’s on a good (path).”
Yamal, who shone for Spain during their Euro 2024 victory last summer, has an impressive tally of nine goals and 13 assists across all competitions for Barcelona this season.
In other Copa del Rey action, Atletico Madrid joined Barcelona in the last eight with a comfortable 4-0 win over second division Elche. This marked Atletico’s 15th consecutive victory across all competitions.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone rested some of his regular starters, but the team still managed to secure a commanding win. Alexander Sorloth scored twice in the first half, and Elche’s chances of a comeback were further diminished when Nico Fernandez was sent off early in the second half.
Rodrigo Riquelme and Julian Alvarez added to Atletico’s lead, sealing an emphatic victory for the Rojiblancos.
The Copa del Rey action continues on Thursday, with defending league champions Real Madrid hosting Celta Vigo and cup holders Athletic Bilbao welcoming Osasuna.
