FC Barcelona are through to the Copa del Rey final after a dramatic comeback against Sevilla on Wednesday, overcoming a two-goal loss in the first leg and advancing with a 3-0 win in the second leg and overtime. Barça were the sharpest team and could have scored twice as many goals, but it took a header in Gerard Pique’s extra time to extend the match with Martin Braithwaite coming off the bench to deliver the winner in extra time.
But how was the performance of each player in this? Here are our player ratings for the match for each titleholder, substitute and coach.
All ratings are out of 10, and the higher the number, the better. A zero would be a red card in the first minute. A 10 would be like a dominant hat-trick.
Barcelona player ratings
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
He faced just three shots on goal, and the best opportunity in the sequence of the game came in the discounts, which he defended well. He also saved a penalty and did everything perfectly.
Rating: 8
Sergino Dest
It faded in the second half, but its first half was solid. He came in behind the defense and probably should have seen some creative passes. He played higher than normal.
Rating: 6
Gerard Pique
It was a strong display by the aged central defender, but where he left his mark was in the attack. His header on the last breath forced the extra time and gave his team all the necessary momentum for Barça. Immense.
Rating: 8
Clement Lenglet
He did very well in defense against his former team and did not make the mistakes we have seen of him lately. It was also very good in the air.
Rating: 7
Oscar Mingueza
He played very well, and that penalty that was taken from him was a little tough. He gets more confident with each performance and is starting to really deal with the speed on his opponents’ wings.
Rating: 6
Jordi Alba
Again he played higher on the field and was a constant threat. He assisted the winner and almost scored himself, hitting the post.
Rating: 7
Sergio Busquets
He had some decent moments with the ball, recovered well, but had to be removed because Barça needed more bodies to advance. Solid enough.
Rating: 6
Pedri
He took a very good look at the goal, which he missed on the side. He connected well with the others in the attack, but he did not do well in defeating a defender and putting the ball inside.
Rating: 5
Frenkie de Jong
Sloppy. His decision-making was poor, he tried to be very cute at times, and it could have cost him a lot.
Rating: 5
Ousmane Dembele
The Frenchman didn’t look like much, but man, he took advantage with an absolute stunner. He scored against Sevilla for the second time in less than a week and is gaining confidence.
Rating: 7
Lionel Messi
The star was crucial to passing the ball to crosses, and he also had some chances of quality. It is impressive to see Barça go by without scoring. He was so excited after the match with his team on the edge of a trophy.
Rating: 6
Antoine Griezmann
He came after the hour mark and did what he needed to do. He sent help to Pique in the final minutes.
Rating: 7
Ilaix Moriba
The young man had 12 minutes of regulation time and extra time and did not have much impact.
Classification: N / A
Junior Firpo
I came to Mingueza and helped with some fresh legs on my back.
Rating: 6
Martin Braithwaite
The hero. The overtime header was beautiful, although the goalkeeper could have done better. He won’t mind, as long as he enters.
Rating: 8
Manager – Ronald Koeman
He knew that the task at hand was difficult, but credit to him for the victory. Griezmann and Braithwaite made all the difference in the end, and now he is about to win his second Copa del Rey as a coach.
Rating: 7
Sevilla Player Ratings
Tomas Vaclik
There was little he could do about Dembele’s goalkeeper, but watch and he was also lucky to see Alba’s volley hit the bar in the second half. But Pique and Braithwaite found ways to get past him when Barça completed their comeback.
Rating: 4
Aleix Vidal
Retreated nine minutes into the second half with an injury and was part of an unstable defense before that, but tried to push forward when possible.
Rating: 5
Jules Kounde
Disappointed in preparation for Dembele’s goal, he starts from an uncertain Sevilla rearguard that never seemed even remotely convincing and he also got a yellow card in overtime to cap a miserable night. However, his last deflected effort was inches from beating Ter Stegen and securing a final spot.
Rating: 4
Diego carlos
Like Kounde, he was not far from calm, but Sevilla’s entire line of defense suffered and endured as long as they could before Barça’s pressure came. However, his strange decision to head the ball into the game later came back to haunt him and his teammates.
Rating: 4
Marco Acuna
He produced a superb goal save to keep Barça away in the first half and left after 54 minutes, with Lopetegui trying to save the draw.
Rating: 6
Joan Jordan
It was not his best night when he sent Dembele out for the opening goal, he was thwarted by Alba in the attack and received a yellow card in extra time before being removed.
Rating: 5
Fernando
Appointed twice for a late red card just before Barça tied, his expulsion may have turned the tide in favor of the home team.
Rating: 3
Olivier Torres
He was by no means the worst player of the night in his 62 minutes, only unfortunately unable to help the attackers make the difference that would have closed the tie.
Rating: 5
Suso
Given up to 11 minutes left, it was not a strong performance from Sevilla’s attack unit as a whole.
Rating: 5
Luuk de Jong
Expelled from the bench, but barely touched the ball when he was on the field. It was an unforgettable night for the Dutchman.
Rating: 4
Youssef En Nesyri
The best grafter among the three strikers of the night, creating a chance for a penalty and then being punished with a yellow card – unlucky to be on the losing side.
Rating: 6
Ivan Rakitic
Instead of De Jong, when Sevilla faced their opponents and ran out of players due to Fernando’s expulsion.
Rating: 5
Karim Rekik
He replaced Acuna in the 54th minute and had a difficult time as Barça grew in confidence and pressed for the goals that eventually emerged.
Rating: 4
Jesus Navas
In Vidal’s place, in the 54th minute, Sevilla continued to fight defensively with him on the field and wasted his biggest chance when she appeared.
Rating: 5
Lucas ocampos
Sent to Torres in the 62nd minute, his penalty was saved by Ter Stegen when a place in the final was within reach.
Rating: 4
Papu Gomez
Suso replaced Suso in the 79th minute to add experience, but Fernando added extra tension to a midfield that Gomez is still adapting to.
Classification: N / A
Munir
Energetic after being introduced in Jordan’s place in the 106th minute, but it was too late to save the tie.
Classification: N / A
Manager – Julen Lopetegui
Poor. He made a lot of changes at the start of the second half and had to pay for them later, when Fernando put the team in a difficult position and moods exploded. Another example of his inability to cut tactically in the bigger matches.
Rating: 3