Barcelona delivered a stunning performance against Valencia, winning the quarterfinal match of the Copa del Rey with a decisive 5-0 victory on February 6, 2025. Ferran Torres proved to be the standout player, scoring three goals within the first half, as the Blaugrana showcased their attacking prowess.
The match commenced energetically, with Torres netting the opener just three minutes after kick-off, taking advantage of Alejandro Balde's assist. The early goal left Valencia reeling, forcing them to abandon their defensive strategy to pursue offensive plays. Unfortunately for them, this only played to Barcelona's advantage, as they quickly doubled their lead when Torres struck again at the 17-minute mark.
Just six minutes later, Fermin Lopez added to the scoreline, inserting his name on the scoresheet once more after previously scoring twice against Valencia just days earlier during their La Liga encounter, which Barcelona also won 7-1. Torres completed his hat-trick before the half concluded, showcasing Barcelona's dominance after only 30 minutes of play.
The second half saw Barcelona maintain their lead, though they opted for a more measured approach, withdrawing some key players from the match as they prepared for the next rounds. Despite the rotation, Lamine Yamal found the back of the net, bringing the final score to 5-0, confirming Barcelona's place in the semifinals alongside Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid faced Leganes in another thrilling encounter on the same evening. Despite fielding a somewhat restructured squad, the La Liga leaders established control when Luka Modric scored the opening goal at 18 minutes. Endrick doubled their lead shortly after, asserting Real's dominance early on.
Leganes, initially struggling to cope with Real’s offense, would not lie down quietly. After Juan Cruz converted a penalty following a foul within the box, they narrowed the deficit before halftime, closing the score to 2-1. The home side’s tenacity shone through as they continued to press forward.
Leganes achieved parity when Cruz scored his second goal of the match, leveling at 2-2 by the 59th minute. This goal brought the match alive, forcing Real Madrid to adopt a more offensive strategy to avert extra time.
With pressure mounting, Real maintained their composure and continued to attack relentlessly. Their persistence paid off at the death, when Gonzalo Garcia scored the winner with only moments remaining, sealing the match at 3-2 and securing Real Madrid's progression to the semifinals.
The quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey highlighted the fierce competition between the top teams in Spanish football. Barcelona's emphatic defeat of Valencia stands as a significant statement of intent, showcasing their current form and lethal attacking capabilities. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s resilience contrasted their earlier struggles, affirming their status as serious contenders for the title.
The stage is set for the semifinals, set to take place on February 25 and 27, where anticipation will surely build as teams vie for the prestigious title and seek to etch their names in football history.