Barcelona easily advanced to the Copa del Rey semifinals on Thursday after defeating Valencia 5-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Ferran Torres. Torres scored from a fast counterattack in the second minute while playing against his childhood team in his hometown. He then increased the lead in the seventeenth minute by scoring a rebound after a Lamine Yamal effort.
Five minutes later, Fermin Lopez scored the third goal in another counterattack, and at the half, Torres gave Barca a four-goal advantage with a drive from the side of the box.
The record 31-time Spanish Cup winner swaggered to victory at an upset Mestalla stadium, with goals from Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal as well.
Real Sociedad advanced earlier, joining Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in a formidable final four after defeating 10-man Osasuna 2-0.
Torres, a former Valencia forward, capitalised on Barca coach Hansi Flick’s decision to rest striker Robert Lewandowski by scoring three goals in thirty minutes.
In the third minute, the Spaniard scored against his old team after sprinting onto a beautiful through pass from Alejandro Balde.
To show respect, Torres chose not to celebrate any of his goals. “I really wish Valencia the best of luck because outside the pitch I’m just another fan,” he told TVE.
Barcelona put on another outstanding offensive display, extending their winning streak to eleven games.
With a long pass that he collected in stride and a clean finish, Alejandro Balde helped Torres defeat Valencia’s high defensive line to start the show.
After 35 minutes, Alejandro Catena was sent off by Osasuna for a violent challenge after goals from Ander Barrenetxea and Brais Mendez for the home team, Real Sociedad.
On Sunday, Osasuna defeated the same opponents 2-1 in La Liga, but Catena’s dismissal essentially put a stop to any hopes of a comeback.
La Real, who last won in the 2020 Copa, advanced to the semifinals for the third time in six seasons.
