Espanyol delivered a stunning performance on the pitch as they routed FC Barcelona 5-0, securing their place in the final of the Copa Catalunya. This emphatic victory was a testament to Espanyol's dominance, capitalizing on numerous defensive errors from their rivals. Coach Manolo Márquez's team showcased incredible focus and drive, netting four goals within the first half hour, a feat aided by the uncharacteristic defensive lapses from Barcelona's side.
The backdrop of this match was marred by controversy, as Barcelona's requests to postpone the game had been denied by the football authorities. With a significantly weakened squad featuring mostly youth players, Barcelona arrived without any first-team stars and with Sergi Milà at the helm. The coach opted for an unusual lineup, featuring mainly substitutes from the B team and youth ranks.
It took Espanyol a mere 50 seconds to assert their dominance, demonstrating their clear superiority. Álex Almansa made a dazzling run down the left wing, delivering a precise low cross that the night's standout player, Víctor Mingo, expertly dispatched to put Espanyol ahead 1-0. What followed was a nightmare for the Barcelona defense, which crumbled under pressure. Just five minutes later, another ghastly error saw Joan Anaya and Landry falter, allowing Mingo to slot home again for 2-0.
The blunders continued; in the 16th minute, another miscommunication from Landry nearly led to a third goal, but the chance was missed. Barcelona's only real response before halftime came shortly after, when Pol Bernabéu's long-range effort was deflected off target. While Barcelona managed to ramp up their intensity with a few hard tackles to deter Espanyol from complete domination, it was not enough.
Espanyol pressed on, and in the 16th minute, another mishap saw José Ángel López unleash a powerful drive that Barcelona's Bonfill embarrassingly failed to stop, marking 3-0. Shortly after, in the 30th minute, Barcelona's Hafiz Gariba lost possession, paving the way for Mingo to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-0.
With the tie effectively sealed, the second half commenced with a more measured pace. Early on, Abdul had a chance to reduce the deficit but squandered it in front of Fortuño. However, it was Álex Almansa who struck next, scoring in the 50th minute, taking advantage of the passive Barcelona defense to extend the lead to 5-0.
Despite this, Espanyol pressed on for more, and in the 68th minute, Mingo almost made it six but failed to convert a golden opportunity from a perfect cross. As both teams made a flurry of substitutions, the rhythm changed slightly, enabling Barcelona to possess the ball more effectively. Although this prevented an even heavier defeat, it did nothing to close the gap on the scoreboard.
This remarkable victory not only highlights Espanyol's capabilities on the field but also raises questions about Barcelona's current strategy and squad management as they move forward into their future matches and tournaments. Espanyol, meanwhile, advances to face either Andorra or Girona in the final match set for April 1 or 2, 2025.
