Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal for Barcelona after coming on as a halftime substitute in their Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Valencia Thursday. Coutinho scored four minutes after coming on as Barcelona eased into the final with a 3-0 aggregate victory.
Coutinho’s finish was sure a tidy one, but the majority of the credit has to go to Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan brilliantly worked a bit of space before turning provider for Barca’s all-important away goal at a packed Mestalla.
¡GOOOOL! ¡Debut goleador de @Phil_Coutinho con el @FCBarcelona_es! Conexión de los ex del @LFC, @LuisSuarez9 al brasileño y es - (0-2) #CopadelRey pic.twitter.com/eHT2e3yipj
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) February 8, 2018
Barcelona, the three-time defending champions of the competition, will now play Sevilla in the final scheduled for April 21. The site of the final is yet to be determined because the Spanish football authorities can be strange like that.
Also of note in today’s match was Lionel Messi walking around like the Great Cornholio after being fouled.
Le quitan la camiseta a Leo Messi pero el árbitro hace caso omiso. #CopadelRey pic.twitter.com/YSwBWCXiyY
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) February 8, 2018
Jasper Cillessen, the club's Cup keeper, was also excellent throughout.
¡Paradón de @JasperCillessen! Disparo de @jose_gaya desde el área chica que parecía seguro gol #CopadelRey pic.twitter.com/lhcEhqO7uS
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) February 8, 2018
Ivan Rakitic added Barcelona's second of the night in the 82nd minute, and defender Yerry Mina came on for his debut.
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