Barcelona survive huge scare at third-tier Intercity to secure extra-time Copa del Rey victory, Ansu Fati nets winner

Barcelona survived a huge scare at third-tier Intercity to secure an extra-time 4-3 Copa del Rey victory, with Ansu Fati netting a 103rd-minute winner.

Barca boss Xavi had warned of a tricky evening in the build-up to the game, saying: “It’s always very difficult for us in the first game of the Cup, I remember eliminations against Figueres and Gramanet [in previous Barcelona seasons], and it’s a round full of surprises.”

A surprise, however, seemed far from likely early on as Ronald Araujo put the Blaugrana ahead in just the second minute.

An early goal can often be the precursor to a rout in these ‘David vs Goliath’ fixtures, but that wasn’t the case as the hosts fought tooth and nail to keep their elite opponents at bay.

And Intercity weren’t content with just settling for a narrow defeat and after Aaron Pinon passed up a golden first-half chance, they remarkably pulled level through Oriol Soldevila Puig from a set-piece on 59 minutes.

Dreamland, however, for the hosts was short-lived as Ousmane Dembele regained his side the lead just seven minutes later with a fine chipped finish.

But that was just the start, as an extraordinary, three-goal period followed.

First Puig got his second equaliser of the night in the 77th minute to haul his team back into it.

Then Raphinha got on the end of a cross to once again give Barcelona the lead, and seemingly the tie.

But Puig was having none of it, and from a swift counter-attack, rolled the ball past Barca keeper Inaki Pena to spark wild scenes – and extra-time.

The Catalans were rattled but there was to be another response from them, this time from substitute Ansu Fati who, having come on in the 74th minute, saw his deflected shot find the back of the Intercity net.

Could the third-tier side find one more response?

Sadly for them, the answer was no as finally Barca were able to shut up shop and see out the tie.

Meanwhile in the night’s five other games, there was another shock as second division Alaves saw off Valladolid 1-0.

Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Real Sociedad did however all make it through to the round of 16.

FULL RESULTS

• Intercity 3-4 Barcelona (AET)
• Logrones 0-1 Real Sociedad
• Linares Deportivo 0-5 Sevilla
• Pontevedra 0-2 Mallorca
• Oviedo 0-2 Atletico Madrid
• Alaves 1-0 Valladolid