SOCCER: Barcelona reach quarterfinals of Copa del Rey with 2-0 win

Second-half goals from Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory for Barcelona over second-tier leaders Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, sending the Catalan side into the quarter-finals.

The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when Torres timed his run perfectly, beating the offside trap and connecting with a through ball before rounding goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta and finishing into an empty net.

In stoppage time, after Racing’s Manex Lozano missed a close-range opportunity, Barcelona capitalized on a quick counter-attack. Raphinha’s low cross found Yamal, who calmly slotted the ball home to seal the win.

Barcelona now join Athletic Bilbao, Alaves, Albacete, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, and Valencia in the last eight. The Spanish FA will hold the quarter-final draw on Monday, with ties scheduled for February 3-5.

Determined to avoid a shock exit like Real Madrid, who were stunned by lower-league Albacete on Wednesday, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick fielded a near full-strength squad at El Sardinero Stadium.

The visitors dominated possession early but faced stiff resistance from Racing. Dani Olmo wasted a clear chance, while Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia made a crucial save to deny Camara Suleiman.

After Torres opened the scoring, Ezkieta kept Racing’s hopes alive with successive saves, denying Fermin Lopez and substitute Robert Lewandowski in the 80th minute. Racing thought they had equalized twice late in the game, only for both goals to be ruled out for offside.

Lozano then had a golden chance to level the score on a counter-attack but opted to shoot from close range rather than pass to an unmarked teammate, allowing Garcia to make the save. Barcelona quickly punished the missed opportunity, with Yamal’s strike securing their place in the quarter-finals.

-Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Christian Radnedge/Reuters