Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol Copa del Rey: match report, goals, action

Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol: match report

Barcelona had too much for Espanyol even after giving their neighbours a 1-0 lead in the first leg last week. Barcelona had to be careful not to concede or they would have to score three but you get the feeling that if they really needed to, they could have scored as many as they wanted.

Luis Suarez had Barcelona ahead on the night and level on aggregate after nine minutes after an impressive opening by the home side when he headed home a perfect Aleix Vidal cross at the back post.

Messi made it two with the help of a deflection from Naldo 16 minutes later and the onus was suddenly on Espanyol to find a route to Barca's goal but they struggled immensely in ever troubling Ter Stegen's goal.

Philippe Coutinho made his debut for the blaugranas and looked very tidy on the ball but the second half petered out with Barcelona dominating possession and efforts on goal although Gerard Moreno felt like he should have had a penalty when Jordi Alba seemed to haul him down as he tried to get on the end of a Leo Baptistao cross.

That was all Espanyol could muster though as Barcelona cruise into the semi-final despite the speed wobble in the first leg.

Barcelona vs Espanyol live stream online: updates

Barcelona vs Espanyol live stream online: preview

Ernesto Valverde has called up Philippe Coutinho for the first time along with Yerry Mina as Barcelona look to overturn a 1-0 defecit from the first leg thanks to an Oscar Melendo strike at the RCDE last week. 

Barca are still in contention for the treble and Valverde said that his side want to win everything they play in meaning Thursday night's effort to turn the tie in the right direction will be a relentless one.

Espanyol manager, Quique Sanchez Flores said that the tie is "is a new game, completely different" from the first leg and it will be a very emotional affair in the Barcelona derby. 

For Barcelona, Andres Iniesta and Paco Álcacer have also been recalled after injuries while Denis Suárez misses out despite being a regular fixture in the Copa this season and relying on the competition for the bulk of his minutes. Coutinho could make his debut against his former side as culés get a first look at their new signing.

Espanyol are not missing any players from their starting XI last week and Sanchez Flores might opt to keep the same formula to see what Barcelona can manage against what turned out to be a resolute side in the first leg. Melendo, the goalscorer, started on the bench that night but started against Sevilla in a 3-0 defeat at the weekend.