Unionistas - Barcelona summary: score, goals and highlights, Copa del Rey round of 16

Well, it wasn't to be for the team from Salamanca but the Unionistas players gave their loyal fans a few special moments on the night against their illustrious opponents from Catalonia.

For Xavi, there are still more questions going to be asked, with two of his defenders stepping up with delightful strikes to secure the team's safe passage into the final eight.

Join us tomorrow for live coverage of that draw, and right now you can find out the last name going into the hat with the pick of the games from this round: Atlético vs Madrid, and the inimitable Joe Brennan is all over it.

Full-time

Goals: Gomez 31'; Torres 45', Kounde 69', Balde 73'

Peep, peep, peeeeep! It's all over.

Barça had a few concerns for the first hour or so but then quickly put to the game to bed. Xavi's team will take their place in the Copa del Rey quarter final draw tomorrow.

Still fighting for every ball but the game looks to be well beyond our brave hosts tonight.

Five minutes being added on here.

SAVE! AND SAVE!! Just as I compliment one goalkeeper, the other makes his own case.

Peña pulls off an excellent double save to avoid a nervous last few minutes for the LaLiga champions.

As Barça knock the ball around the back, still under plenty of pressure from their third-tier opponents, I'd like to give a little shout out to Barbero in the Unionistas goal. His clearances and general control have been notable tonight, and he couldn't be blamed for any of the goals.

Everyone not in line with the attacking play by the hosts just got rather animated for a moment as Ruiz found himself in behind the Barça defence and struck towards goal. His efforts was wide of the post but the offside flag spared him anyway.

I mentioned Vitor Roque in the build-up to the game and am pleased to tell you that he's just come on, taking Torres' place.

All you neutrals out there will be hoping for a Unionistas goal in the next few minutes to give us some excitement for the closing stages.

I hate to tell you but it doesn't feel like it's coming. The pace of the game is slowing and, although they haven't created much, I can only see a fourth for Barça.

The Catalans are starting to look like they're well in control now. Pedri even dropping in a typical toe flick in a flowing move that could have brought another goal.

Crowd still making some noise but maybe with less conviction.

First shot (if I can call it that) for Lewandowski since coming on. He'll need to improve on that.

All the possession, but not doing much with it. That's been the story for Barça so far and the expression of club president Laporta in the stands says it all.

Some loose play at the back gives the home team a chance to ask questions of Peña but the answer he has is a bloodied face for Losada who challenged the keeper's punched clearance with his head.

He should be fine to continue after a little treatment.

Cometh the hour mark, cometh the man changes...

Gundogan and Lewandowski have been given the role of saviours by Xavi, with Lopez and Félix saying goodbye.

For anyone just joining us here, check out my half-time mutterings for a sense of how the game has gone. Remember too that in the last round, just 10 days ago, Unionistas played out a 1-1 draw with another top flight team, Villarreal.

...before going on to beat them 7-6 in the penalty shootout. Just saying.

The home team certainly appear to feel comfortable playing out from the back but there comes a point where the pressure descends on them and Barça do well to keep winning the ball back.

Signs are that Daniel Ponz has reminded them that holding out with a solid backline could be key.

It's fair to say that Barça have had all the possession since the restart but I remember saying something similar just before the black and whites burst forward and scored the opener.

Let's see if some openings can be found at either end.

Ouchie! They say sport hurts and that hefty challenge from Guiu is a good example, which sees his name taken by the ref. A little pause in play as some treatment administered to the left ankle of Carlos Giménez.

The start of this second half is as Xavi as you could imagine. Pass, move, pass, move... The ball hasn't yet gone further than midway into the Unionistas half though.

Xavi has freshened things up at the break with Pau Cubarsi taking Christensen's place, while Serrano, who had a good half, is replaced by Javi Villar for the hosts.

We're off! Barça get the ball rolling.

Players are out and we're about to get underway.

Half-time mutterings

So, I talked before about the reasons the home fans could be hopeful of an upset tonight but I didn't really give them much weight, to be honest. That just shows you how much I know!

A high tempo was there from Unionistas from the off, aided by a brilliantly vocal support, and within the opening minute they came close to making their mark. Chances were few and far between for the home team after that but Barça struggled to create clear chances despite having much of the ball.

The exception to that came in the 21st minute when Barbero pulled off a tremendous reaction save to deny Guiu.

Then came that moment. A rare break, a deep cross, a delicious volley. A worried Blaugrana. What a moment.

Dreams were somewhat tempered just before the half-time whistle as Torres was handed the freedom of the opposition half (questions will be asked about Unionistas' gung ho approach at the point) but it's all to play for in the second half.

Goal and love

Before we talk about the football, let's take a quick moment to acknowledge Ferran Torres' half-time gesture. Clearly he'd have plenty on his mind, but he was still aware enough to hand his shirt to this fan. Class.

Peep! That's it, no more goals but plenty to be said as the players trot off for oranges or the modern day equivalent.

Three minutes to be added.

SAVE!! And from that last clearance, Rastrojo again bursts away and forces a decent enough save from the Barça stopper.

The subsequent corner to the hosts almost opens up another opportunity but it's blocked and cleared.

Crunch! Fermin has just been taken out as he looked to break and Jimenez was happy enough to take a yellow for the team.

Decent chance to load up the box and test the defence. In the end it was nothing particularly creative and Unionistas clear.

With five minutes remaining in this first half, Barça have had nearly 75% possession. Not surprising you may say, but they've not done a whole lot with it. That's what will be concerning Xavi.

"I just scored against Barça"

The aftermath of that goal

There's something you don't see at the Camp Nou. Goalkeepr Barbero steps out to clear the through ball and thwacks it over the main stand. The fans enjoyed that!

Serrano is involved again but miss-hits an effort from the edge of the Barça area. Half chance at best but somewhat better than the team just falling back to their own goal and soaking up the attacks.

Dare I say that Barça are a little rattled? I am.

CLOSE! After all that possession Ferran seems to think "bugger it, I'll have a dig!" Scrapes by the right post to the sound of big ooooohhhs.

Unionistas just can't get out of their half. Barça happy to open up space, switch the play from left to right and back again as they await a mistake or a moment of class that allows a strike at goal.

The crowd react to the last few minutes by adding even more noise of support for their boys. It's jumping here!

Pressure building on the home goal and another chance slips past Guiu who can't get on the end of a very tasty Balde cross.

WHAT A SAVE! Barbero reacts instinctively to stick out his right arm and knock the poked effort, a stretched out leg from a corner, from Marc Guiu.

Most of the Barça team were thinking the breakthrough had come.

Barça try again to build through the midfield but they're struggling to break a hard-working opponent. Clearly the longer this goes on, the top flight fitness levels are likely to make a difference.

...then again, the expectations may play in the opposite direction!

Talking of flying, Rastrojo has just given us a taste of his pace, nearly sprinting away from Christensen but just running it out of play. He's annoyed at himself with that but will fancy giving it another go soon.

Although no clear cut chances since that one in the first minute, there are signs that opportunities could definitely be there for the home players. Serrano the latest player to almost set his teammates flying but the green(ish) kitted opponents closed things off.

Xavi is on the sidelines deep in conversation with his staff about how these opening stages have played out. Well, I can't actually make out what he's saying so he may be asking what the plan is for dinner after the game.

Some very confident play between Barbero in goal and his Unionista defenders, and quick thinking Barça attackers almost made them pay. 

First shot at goal for the visitors arrives on the 5th minute. A deep cross left to right is volleyed back first time to Félix in the area and he swings a boot. The defender was all over him and the block was effective.

After that early scare Barça, as you'd imagine have gathered themselves and are aiming to take the sting out of the occasion.

The crowd is keeping the tempo high for their team though and likely will until there's nothing left to go for.

CLOSE!!! Oh my! What a start to the game.

After some solid play to regain control of the ball, a speedy break by the hosts hands Losada the first chance, and a good one at that. He strikes hard enough but it glides just wide of Peña's post. What a shame!

Peeep! And we're off!

In case you were wondering, we do have VAR for this game. That means there could be a few 'goal... maybe... no goal...' moments in my chat. Apologies in advance!

OK, the players are out and we have a game to enjoy...

Grass issues resolved... at a cost

Did you know that Unionistas' continuation in Spanish football in 2022 depended on replacing the artificial turf of their football field with natural grass, a requirement set by the federation? It cost €300,000 ($326k) plus an annual maintenance fee of €30,000.

The hefty sum dismayed the managers and, consequently, the co-owning members of the club until they opened fundraising to social financing. The success of the crowdfunding campaign defied the dark predictions, exceeded the targeted amount, and provided Unionistas with the grass that allows them to face Barcelona tonight.

Meet the Unionistas - Barcelona referee

Born in 1988, Francisco José Hernández Maeso is a referee from the Extremadura association making his top flight debut this season. He previously officiated in the Spanish second division for three seasons.

Hernández Maeso has overseen nine LaLiga matches, showing 45 yellow cards, issuing one direct red card, and awarding three penalties.

Pedri takes his pen

The benefit of not having to get your game face on from the first whistle is that you can mingle more with the crowd and that is exactly what Pedri did as the stadium began to fill.

Here he is signing bits and bobs and sending people even younger than him away with a smile on their faces.

Unionistas dreaming big

The player names of this Unionistas team may not be readily on the tongue for household conversation but we should remember that they did manage to dispose of LaLiga’s Villarreal on penalties in the last round, just over a week ago.

Further hope for their fans can be taken from a few years ago when they hosted Real Madrid in January 2020, also in this competition. ultimately losing 3-1 having been level after an hour.

COPA DEL REY

What happens in case of a tie in the Copa del Rey round of 16?

Another question posed to me is over how this game will be decided if the score is tied come the whistle at the end of 90 or so minutes.

Our Roddy has a detailed description of this but, in summary, and barring postponement, we'll definitely have a winner confirmed tonight. Extra time and penalties if required.

Copa del Rey excitement building

With just over half an hour until kick off you can see the stands filling up here at the Estadio Reina Sofía. Unionistas play in the third tier of Spanish football and the stadium's 4,750-capacity is a far cry from the near 100,000 of the Camp Nou.

Let's see how the home fans compare noise wise...

Teamsheet old school

I've had a few requests to see the official teamsheet for the game and so a quick call to my colleague Paul down by the pitch and your wish is my command.

Any more demands, pop them into the comments section and we'll see what we can do. No, not that. Or that!

Where's Vitor Roque?

Brazilian forward Vitor Roque has yet to secure a starting position for Barça, despite making a couple of appearances as a substitute where he showed plenty of energy but failed to take some of the opportunities that fell his way.

Since his arrival in Spain, some have said he has faced unnecessary pressure to score, but he has given suggestions of what he can do by influencing games even without finding the back of the net, and he offers a different dynamic to Robert Lewandowski.

As we've seen, Xavi's left both of them on the bench tonight and opted instead for Spanish youngster, Marc Guiu. Despite limited minutes with the first team, Guiu has left a positive impression and previously netted the decisive goal against Athletic Club earlier in the season.

He turned 18 on 4 January and will be sniffing a chance or two to make another impression...

Starting XI: Barcelona

And here's Xavi's choice. A few expected changes from the team that began against Madrid at the weekend, and given the erratic form of late, a chance to make a push towards a regular place.

Barça XI: Peña, Baldé. Chistensen, Koundé, Roberto, López, Romeu, De Jong, Félix, Guiu, Torres

Starting XI: Unionistas

What a night for these players as they get the chance to go up against one of the most iconic clubs in the world. And some say they could be there for the taking...

Unionistas XI: Barbero, Jiménez, Giménez, Mayor, Ruiz, Serrano, Gómez, Tur, Martín, Losada, Rastrojo

Team news incoming...

Forget El Clásico

That has surely got to be rather a strong message from manager Xavi Hernández going into this potential banana skin. In case you missed it, his Barça players were left for dust in Saudi Arabia by their biggest rivals from the capital, soundly beaten 4-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Some are already questioning the longevity of the Barça (playing) legend's tenure at the helm - maybe forgetting he won the domestic title last season and the financial limitations put upon him - and defeat against lowly Unionistas would add more weight to that argument.

Fans want a piece of Pedri

The young star was part of the travelling squad for this cup game and we'll see soon if he takes his place in the starting line up.

Pitch ready for Barça

Our man down on the ground says that the pitch is looking in decent shape for this big game. We'll certainly be keeping an eye on how the ball runs in those first few minutes... and on Xavi's shakes of the head if things don't go to plan.

COPA DEL REY

Unionistas - Barcelona: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | Copa del Rey

What's that you say? You want a bunch of coloured pixels dancing around in some type of order that combines to form images of the descriptions I provide for you in words?

Well, you're in luck. Check out this guide that tells you where you can watch the game... in another tab, of course.

Copa del Rey quarters taking shape

The winner of this game will take the penultimate place in the Copa del Rey quarter final line-up alongside these teams:

Athletic

Sevilla

Celta de Vigo

Real Sociedad

Girona

Mallorca

After the conclusion in Salamanca, be sure to jump straight over to live coverage of the undisputed tie of the round as our Joe brings you Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid. Tasty!

Unionistas vs Barcelona: welcome

Hello and a very warm welcome to you as we get set for a rarely seen clash between Unionistas de Salamanca and Barcelona. The Estadio Municipal Reina Sofía is our host for the evening and many onlookers, not Barça fans mind you, have a Copa del Rey round of 16 upset in mind.

Stay with me for the next couple of hours and we'll discover together if there is more trouble at the door of Xavi Hernández or if it's business as usual for the big boys.