Copa del Rey: Barcelona vs Hércules report, goals and action

Copa del Rey Draw Live

Barcelona 7-0 Hércules (8-1 aggregate): Full-time report

 After a relatively shaky start, Barcelona took the lead late in the first half and never looked back, doubling their lead on the stroke of half-time. Sensing they had their Segunda B Group III opponents on the ropes, Barcelona went for the knock-out and went got it early on in the second half with goals from Rafinha and perfect Arda Turan. if this really was a boxing match, the ref would have had every right to stop it at that point but the game continued and Hércules continued to take punishment. Paco Alcacer landed his first goal as a Barcelona player in their final game of 2016 and Arda Turan landed another two to cap of an equisite performance from the Turkish attacker. The game was well and truly over before that but Barcelona march on in the Copa del Rey with an 8-1 victory over two legs against their battling opponents.

Barcelona 7-0 Hércules: Second half

Min 89 | GOAL! Turan curls one high and over Buigues and into the back of the net. Hat-trick Arda Turan, to go with his two assists. Not a bad day at the office for the Turkish attacker.

Min 86 | GOAL! GOAL! Alcacer almost makes it two but draws a magnificent save from Buigues as he bats away a good header. Arda Turan pounces on the rebound, however, and gets his second and Barcelona's sixth. 

Min 82 | Rakitic has a shot that Buigues is equal to it.

Min 79 | Checa in the wars again as he collides with Andre Gomes.

75 minute update: Well, I guess we can finish 2016 in peace now as we have seen it all. Alcacer is the most releived man in the Camp Nou as an excercise in beating Hércules turned into an excercise in getting the summer signing's Barcelona account open. Job done and at 5-0, this game is a wrap!

Min 73 | GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! Paco Alcacer gets on the scoresheet. A cross by Rafinha is deflected onto the head of the former Valencia striker. It won't go down in history as one of the greatest goals ever but Alcacer won't forget it for a while. (There was a hint of offside but we don't want to ruin his Christmas for him.)

Hércules substitution - Berrocal is taken off and replaced by Salinas.

Min 69 | Andre Gomes has a crack, set up by Turan, but it drifts well wide.

Min 67 | Arda tries to get his second but his header doesn't have enough power on it.

Min 65 | Hércules with a free from a dangerous area but it appears to be too central and Chechu tries to whip it into a dangerous area and Barcelona clear it. 

60 minute update: Luis Enrique's half-time team talk might have contained a few lines about killing this game off early so there was no nerves at the end, and that is exactly what his Barcelona side have done with goals from Rafinha and Arda Turan. Nothing much else to report as Hércules are caught between the wall and the sword - attack and lose 8-0 or try to remain somewhat disciplined and hope to not be annihilated. 

Min 58 | Samuel Umtiti down after a corner. He is grasping his face and jaw. Replays show there was little or no contact from Chechu.

Surely, Alcacer's teammates will do everything they can to get him on the scoresheet now. What a lovely Christmas present that would be for the struggling striker.

Min 55 | GOAL! Every update is a goal now at this rate. Arda Turan, after making the two previous efforts lands a lovely diving header from an Aleix Vidal cross. 4-0 Barcelona and it's time for them to start thinking about mince pies and gravy-smothered Turkey as the Chrismtas holidays can begin!

Hércules substition - David Mainz replaces Buesco. 

Min 50 | GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! Rafinha rifles home after some slick footwork, yet again, from Arda Turan. That's surely the tie wrapped up now for Barcelona and it appears Luis enrique knows it by his celebration.

Min 49 | Corner for Hércules as Rojas risest highest but he can't get enough on his glancing header to direct it goalward.

Min 47 | Nieto already involved as he surges forward, crosses to his teammates but Berrocal was going to fast and outruns the ball.

Min 46 | We are back underway at the Camp Nou for the second half. Can Hércules get on the scoresheet and make Barcelona sweat.

Hércules substitution - Nieto comes on in place of Minano.

The home side entered the game as overwhelming favourites but they struggled to break down Hércules in the opening exchanges. That all changed on 37 minutes, however, when Lucas Digne got on the end of a loose ball and poked it home to give Barcelona the lead on the night and in the tie that previously read 1-1 from the first leg. Ivan Rakitic made it two from the penalty area after after Rafinha found Arda Turan, whose fancy footwork bamboozled Roman and he fouled him in the penalty area. It's an uphill battle for Hércules now, much like it was from the outset, but they are sure to keep battling their Catalan opponents in the second half.

Min 45 | GOAL! Rakitic puts the penalty under Buigues. A very poor penalty, it must be said, but he got slightly lucky with the positioning of the goalkeeper's arm. 

Min 45 | Just as we approach the half-time whistle, Rafinha feeds Arda and the Turkish attacker is fouled by Roman. Penalty!

Min 43 | Aleix Vidal tries to get a cross away but Pena manages to get in front of it and put it out for a corner. He gives him a little nudge too to let him know he hasn't forgotten about his early involvement with his captain.

Min 40 | Andre Gomes fouls Checa again but Barcelona clear the danger and break fast on the counter. The result is Bueso clearing his lines with conviction and a melee between both sides. Aleix Vidal not happy with a tackle from Miñano earlier in the move.

Min 37 | GOOOOOOOAL! Lucas Digne gets his big toe to a loose ball pinging around the Hércules penalty are and it rattles the onion bag. A collective sigh of relief can be heard being released around the Camp Nou.

Min 33 | A cross hits Bueso and shoots into the air with more backspin than a Roger Federer drop shot. Arda Turan gets his head to it but it hits Bueso again and they clear the danger.

Min 31 | Suarez slaloms his way into a shooting position but he fires wide and into the side netting. Better from Barcelona.

30 minute update: Still very little sign of life from Barcelona as they lack the invention without Messi or Iniesta on the field. The game has opened up, which will surely suit the home side but Hércules have possible had the best chance with Chechu breaking free but being caught by Mascherano. Very even game still.

Min 29 | Up the other end and a through ball has too much pace on it for Paco Alcacer as Buigues smothers it.

Min 27 | Chechu breaks down the left-hand side and seems to have Mascherano for pace but the Argentine makes it back in time to make a goal-saving tackle. Hércules players want a penalty but the referee is not for entertaining their complaints.

Checa down in a heap around the middle of the field. He was caught by Denis Suarewz but the replays suggest there was very little contact. Perhaps a dead calf?

Min 25 | Rakitic has a snapshot from the edge of the box that is never troubling Buigues. 

Min 21 | Rafinha fouled and Rakitic send the free kick towards Samuel Umtiti. Too far away from the central defender and too close to Buigues. Keeper collects with ease.

Min 19 | Arda crosses into a dangerous area and Suarez gets a foot to it but it is turned away on the line and he almost gets to the rebound but it goes out for a goalkick.

Min 18 | Cross from Denis Suarez is too close to the keeper and he collects with ease. A problem emerging for Barcelona is that all three of their midfielders offer the exact same thing. All excellent at keeping possession but none of them renowned for their creativity. That burden might fall on Arda Turan, who is sarting to get on more ball.

Min 16 | A ball across the box to Dalmau is sent back into the danger area but Berrocal can't reach far enough to get it. Mascherano passes back to Cillessen, who clears.

15 minute update: Barcelona have started well but have not created anything of note. As a matter of fact, Hércules have grown into the game and are getting on plenty of ball around the middle of the field. Alcacer hasn't touched the ball. This is similar to how the first leg went...

Min 12 | This is going to be a long night for Berrocal. His brief is to battle Umtiti and Mascherano for long, searching clearances. No luck as of yet as neither the French man or the Argentine are giving much away.

Min 11 | Arda Turan chopped down and Rafinha stands over the resulting free. Cleared by Bueso.

Hércules coming out their shell just a little bit more as they pressure Mascherano and then Umtiti into a hasty clearance. Looks lovely and intentions are great but Barcelona will tear them apart if they adopt that tactic for the rest of the game.

Min 8 | Barcelona continue to probe but the most recent attack by Vidal is stymied and put out for another corner. Mascherano heads the corner wide of Buigues' left post.

Min 7 | Digne is set free by Rakitic and he pulls it back to Alcacer but Roman is there to clear the danger. Corner for Barcelona.

Min 4 | Ball falls nicely to digne from a Rakitic cross and he fires over with his right. Throws his head up to the sky. He knows he could, and should, have done better there.

As expected, Hércules sitting very deep as Mascherano and Umtiti engage in some passing practise in their own half before launching an attack. 11 Hércules players inside their own half and no sign of pressing.

Min 3 | Denis Suarez launches a cross into Hércules' box but Roman clears with his head.

Min 1 | good start for Barcelona as Rafinha and Aleix Vidal link up but the former's cross is too close to Buigues.

Barcelona XI: Cillessen, Digne, Umtiti, Mascherano, Aleix Vidal, Gomes, Denis, Rakitic, Rafinha, Arda Turan, Alcácer.

21:57 | Jordi Alba with a lovely hug there for Chechu in the tunnel before they make their way onto the hallowed Camp Nou turf.

21:53 | Lionel Messi has been given his Christmas holidays early by Luis Enrique after he almost set fire to the Nou Camp with his display just a few short days ago. Quique Sanchez Flores has apologised to Espanyol fans for what he whispered to Lionel Messi after their game on Sunday night.

21:46 | Getting closer to kick-off and the last game of the Spanish footballing year for Barcelona.

21:34 | If you don't happen to be up to date with Hércules, a couple of players to look out for are Chechu, who is their joint-top scorer this season along with David Mainz. Mario Gaspar was also very good in the first leg and will need to be watched by Barcelona tonight. He operated on the righr wing that night but can play on either flanks.

21:20 | Hércules currently sit fourth in Segunda B Group III, and six points behind Barcelona B, who are in first place. If they can get anything from this game, it would be one of the biggest scalps imaginable!

21:10 | Luis Enrique, rather shrewedly, has named Don Andrés Iniesta on the bench tonight just in case things get out of control and he needs to change things up.

20:57 | Also interesting to see how Andre Gomes does tonight as he was dropped from the squad list, with no reports of an injury, for the Catalan Derby. He returns tonight.

20:53 | No room in the Hércules eleven for their goalscoring hero from the first leg as David Mainz starts on the bench for the visitors.

20:49 | No Busquets or Iniesta in midfield as three players who have largely split time and battled each other for playing time line out as Barcelona's midfield trident. Ivan Rakitic, who has fallen behind the other two midfielders tonight, Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes, will want to give Luis Enrique something to think about over the Christmas break.

20:40 | While controversy swirls around Real Madrid, their transfer ruling and the future of James Rodriguez, Barcelona won't have to worry too much about speculation as they have nothing in their transfer kitty.

20:33 | Hércules are coming into the game on the back of three wins. Their most recent win was over UE Cornellà, who they beat in the first round of the Copa del Rey in order to set up the game against Barcelona.

20:30 | It is also a much needed break for Gerard Pique tonight. Remember, he hurt his ankle against Real Sociedad, was a massive doubt for the Real Madrid game, played that game and has played every game since.

20:26 | A huge chance for Paco Alcacer again tonight. Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar all started their holidays early and did not make the 16-man squad for tonight's game. Alcacer has not scored in a Barcelona shirt yet since his summer move.

20:17 | I will leave this here, just in case you were wondering how and where to watch the game tonight.

18:23 | There is nothing like some good fire-stoking between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The latest person with the poker is Sergi Roberto, who says that Real Madrid are a lucky side.

18:34 | La Liga report offensive chants from Barcelona fans during Catalan Derby.

17:58 | Hércules have presented Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu with one of their one-off shirts for tonight's clash. And very smart it is too.

17:10 | Banta Claus: This video of a Barcelona fan getting a nasty surprise after being given the Blaugrana away shirt as a present has gone viral... 

16:50 | Barça's squad for the match is: Cillessen, Masip, Rakitic, Sergio, Denis, Arda, Iniesta, Rafinha, Mascherano, Alcácer, Alba, Digne, Roberto, Gomes, Vidal, Umtiti.

16:35 | Speaking of Messi, the Argentine ace would doubtless be proud of this stunning goal scored in England on Saturday.

16:32 | There'll be no Leo Messi, Gerard Piqué, Luis Suárez or Neymar tonight - the quartet have been allowed to start their Christmas holidays early. Lucky chaps. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is also to be rested for tonight's game, Barça have confirmed.

16:03 | The Barcelona and Hércules boards got together earlier for the traditional pre-match directors' lunch. That will have been quite a feed, I'll wager.

16:00 | Six hours to kick-off in Barcelona - why not get yourself warmed up with a cheeky shufties at our match preview below?

15:18 | If you're heading down to the Camp Nou tonight you'll be keen to know what attire to wear. It's 16° and sunny just now with just a few clouds in the sky - you can see for yourself with this stadium cam - but it'll be a few degrees down by the time we kick off so wrap up.

14:25 | The last time Hércules visited the Camp Nou, they won - although Royston Drenthe won't have happy memories of being bamboozled by Leo Messi.

13:50 | Barça in hot water after LaLiga report offensive chants during Catalan derby.

13:00 | Here's all the info you need on how and where to watch this evening's clash in Barcelona.

12:30 | Hércules will wear a special one off Copa del Rey shirt for tonight's game at Camp Nou.

12:00 | A degree of annoyance surrounding the CAS transfer ban verdict handed out to Real Madrid was tangible at Barcelona yesterday. Some background information to the case.

Good morning and welcome to our update feed as we build up to tonight's Copa del Rey tie at Camp Nou between holders Barcelona and 2B side Hércules CF.

Barcelona - Hércules: match preview

Flashback to September 14 (2010) as a double from Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez sees Alicante based outfit Hercules beat the mighty Barcelona at their Camp Nou fortress in a LaLiga encounter. Can lightning strike twice ?

Holders Barça are set to rest many of their big name stars with Luis Enrique entrusting the likes of Arda, Denis Suarez and Paco Alcacer to get the job done and see off resistance from the Segunda B outfit from Alicante

A place in Friday's draw for the next round of 16 awaits the victors with the tie by no means a foregone conclusion with the first leg at the Estadio Rico Perez ended all square with a 1-1 draw.

Barcelona

The last thing that Luis Enrique will want before heading into the Christmas break is to be on the wrong end of a major cup upset at the hands of a team plying their trade in the third tier of the Spanish game. The structure of the Spanish Cup does favour the big sides with ties being played over two legs but as Real Madrid will testify when then 2B Alcorcon dispatched the giants in 2009/10, the embarrassment can be long, long lasting.

The Asturian coach should have enough in his second string side to get the job done and Paco Alcacer will never get a better chance to open his goal scoring account for the Catalan side against the men from Alicante. No room for the Messi-Suarez-Neymar trident tonight as Alcacer will be complimented in attack by Rafinha and Arda Turan. Cillessen mans the goal and Andre Gomes will pull strings in the centre of the park.

In his pre-match press conference Luis Enrique stated that he demands a better performance from his side from that in Alicante with the coach also alluding to new acquisitions in the January transfer window.

A narrow 1-0 win on Saturday over UD Cornella keeps Hercules on track for the club's number one objective for the season, that of a return to the second tier of Spanish football. The Alicante based side have secured nine points from their last three league encounters are in fourth place in 2B (Group III) and visit Camp Nou with nothing to lose.

Coach Tevenet was bullish in his comments ahead of the game and stated that his side will go take on the cup holders with no inhibitions and the men in blue and white will look to the attacking prowess of centre forward Berrocal. 

The side from Alicante will be buoyed with over 500 supporters making the trip along the Mediterranean coastline to see if history can be made. A right to dream is the motto from the official club Twitter account and the 2B will wear a special one off commemorative white shirt for the occasion.

Barcelona - Hércules: possible line-ups

Coach:Luis Enrique

Coach: Tevenet 

Barcelona - Hércules: match build-up