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Barcelona survived yet another hard-fought skirmish in the Copa del Rey earlier today and edged Rayo Vallecano to a 2-1 victory. The Catalan giants missed several chances throughout the game and had to rely on goals from Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Rayo Vallecano put up a feisty resistance and nearly managed to stun Barcelona in the second half. Ronald Koeman's charges did manage to hold their nerve, however, and remain favourites to win the Copa del Rey this season.
Barcelona were well below their best against Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona got off to a positive start as Junior Firpo combined well with fellow full-back Oscar Mingueza to create the Catalans' first chance of the game. The first big chance of the game went Barcelona's way as Frenkie de Jong reached the end of Junior Firpo's deflected cross but his effort looped on to the crossbar.
Rayo Vallecano were impressive with their press and managed to pin Barcelona in their own half for significant periods in the first half. The Catalan giants struck the woodwork yet again as Dimitrievski saved Trincao's effort and Riqui Puig's follow-up strike was deflected on to the post to keep the scores level at half-time.
Barcelona's start to the second half remained uninspiring as the Catalans squandered several chances to score the first goal. Rayo Vallecano took full toll of a momentary lull in the game to find the back of the net with their first genuine chance of the match.
The goal shocked Barcelona into gear and brought the best out of the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi. The Catalans equalised after De Jong and Griezmann combined to allow Lionel Messi a shot at an open goal. Lionel Messi returned the favour with an exquisite pass to Jordi Alba who squared the ball to the in-form Frenkie de Jong to score the winning goal.
Rayo Vallecano Player Ratings
Stole Dimitrievski - 6/10
Stole Dimitrievski had surprisingly little to do against Barcelona and was spared by the woodwork on several occasions. The goalkeeper could do nothing about the two goals and had a largely average outing.
Esteban Caveljich - 7/10
Esteban Caveljich had an excellent game against a strong Barcelona attack and was able to step up to the plate for Rayo Vallecano. The centre-back was an imposing presence and made a few vital blocks to thwart the opposition.
Alejandro Catena - 6/10
Alejandro Catena was impressive for large periods of the match and repelled Barcelona's probes into the final third. The defender was unable to react in time for the Catalans' second goal, however, and allowed De Jong an easy finish.
Ivan Martos - 6/10
Ivan Martos played as an auxiliary centre-back but was unable to track the runs of Frenkie de Jong and Riqui Puig. The defender was replaced by Isi Palazon as Rayo Vallecano chased a second goal towards the end of the game.
Fran Garcia - 7.5/10
Fran Garcia had the unenviable task of keeping tabs on Lionel Messi and Francisco Trincao and did a commendable job in the first half. The full-back left Barcelona red-faced with his goal and had an excellent match.
Mario Hernandez - 4/10
Mario Hernandez struggled to push into Barcelona's half of the pitch and was unable to keep up with the Catalans. The full-back was partly at fault for both Blaugrana goals in the second half.
Santi Comesana - 6/10
Santi Comesana was up against the imposing duo of Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets and did not see much of the ball. The midfielder did make a few important tackles but was unable to control the game.
Oscar Trejo - 6.5/10
Oscar Trejo was one of his side's better players and managed to initiate a few counter-attacks against Barcelona in the first half. The Rayo Vallecano star was visibly tired in the second half, however, and could not make the most of his efforts.
Andres Martin - 5.5/10
Like his attacking teammates, Andres Martin had a quiet game and was largely unable to make his mark on the match. The winger spent a considerable amount of the match assisting his defence and did not see much of the ball.
Jonathan Montiel - 5.5/10
Jonathan Montiel did not have much of an influence and remained a peripheral figure on the flank. The winger was replaced in the second half as Rayo Vallecano attempted to add an element of control to their game against a strong Barcelona side.
Yacine Qasmi - 5/10
Yacine Qasmi was an isolated figure for much of the game but did get a couple of shots away in the first half. The striker struggled to get past Ronald Araujo and was taken off in the second half.
Substitutes
Alvaro Garcia - 7.5/10
Alvaro Garcia was brought on to trouble Barcelona's back-line and stepped up brilliantly with an excellent turn of pace to create Rayo Vallecano's goal. Garcia was an industrious presence and gave the Catalans a fair share of issues.
Mario Suarez - 5.5/10
Mario Suarez was introduced in the second half to keep Barcelona at bay. The veteran midfielder was unable to cope with a rejuvenated Catalan midfield, however, and was often left chasing shadows.
Isi Palazon - 5/10
Isi Palazon was brought on to add to Rayo Vallecano's attacking options but did not see much of the ball towards the end of the game.
Luis Advincula - 6/10
Luis Advincula was a late substitute and did not have enough time to make much of an impact against Barcelona.
Barcelona Player Ratings
Neto - 5/10
Barcelona's second-choice shot-stopper Neto had very little to do in the first half and was a mere spectator. The Brazilian got a hand to the ball in the build-up to Rayo Vallecano's goal and needs to take it up a notch with the Catalan giants.
Ronald Araujo - 7.5/10
Ronald Araujo had an excellent game and was Barcelona's best defender on the night. The Uruguayan centre-back used his pace to nullify Rayo Vallecano's counter-attacks and is chipped in with a few crucial interventions.
Clement Lenglet - 4/10
Clement Lenglet's place in Barcelona's starting eleven has been severely questioned in recent weeks and the Frenchman did himself no favours with an embarrassing lack of pace against Alvaro Garcia.
Oscar Mingueza - 4/10
Oscar Mingueza was reliable in his own half but is visibly out of his depth on the right flank. The La Masia graduate wasted several opportunities with his misdirected crosses and has plenty of work to do to remain a regular member of the side.
Junior Firpo - 5.5/10
Junior Firpo created Barcelona's first two chances of the game and troubled Rayo Vallecano with his low crosses. The Spanish left-back's influence faded as the game progressed, however, and Firpo did himself no favours with some misplaced passes.
Sergio Busquets - 6/10
Sergio Busquets looked a shade off his best form and was unable to move the ball forward regularly in the first half. The veteran midfielder played the full match and might be given a rest in this weekend's La Liga fixture.
Frenkie de Jong - 8/10
Frenkie de Jong was Barcelona's saviour yet again and is developing excellent new habits under Ronald Koeman. The Dutchman scythed through Rayo Vallecano's defence for Barcelona's first goal before bursting into the penalty area to score the decisive second.
Riqui Puig - 6.5/10
Riqui Puig was one of Barcelona's more penetrative players in the first half and was unlucky not to score his second goal for the club. The La Masia youngster was accurate with his passing but was unable to break the deadlock against a stubborn Rayo Vallecano outfit.
Francisco Trincao - 6/10
Francisco Trincao had a bright first half and was denied his first goal in Barcelona colours by a good save from the Rayo Vallecano shot-stopper. The Portuguese winger was rendered ineffective in the second half and was replaced by Ousmane Dembele.
Lionel Messi - 6.5/10
Lionel Messi was visibly below his electrifying best against Rayo Vallecano and was unusually quiet in the first half. The Argentine did score Barcelona's equaliser and created the Catalans' second goal but should have scored another goal towards the end of the game.
Antoine Griezmann - 6.5/10
Antoine Griezmann worked hard in the final third but was unable to pose a threat in the first half. The French forward showed exceptional awareness to curve his run for the first goal and improved in the final minutes of the match.
Substitutes
Jordi Alba - 7/10
Jordi Alba made an instant impact on the game and his pace and guile made a massive difference for Barcelona. The Catalan defender picked up an assist for the all-important second goal and remains Barcelona's first-choice left-back.
Pedri - 6.5/10
Pedri replaced Riqui Puig in the second half and his freshness helped revive Barcelona's midfield. The youngster could have bagged an assist towards the end of the match and has a positive outing.
Ousmane Dembele - 6/10
Ousmane Dembele was used as an impact substitute and did trouble Rayo Vallecano on a few occasions with his pace.
Martin Braithwaite - 5.5/10
Martin Braithwaite was a late substitute for Barcelona and picked up a booking in stoppage-time.
