Barcelona gave up three goals against Intercity of the third level in the Copa del Rey, but Ansu Fati’s extra-time winner prevented them from losing the cup early. Barcelona had three instances of winning the match under 90 minutes before losing them all to Intercity, a tenacious third-tier team that was in danger of being demoted. In his first game since September, Ronald Araujo put an end to any early worries for the visitors with a powerful header in the fourth minute. Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha both converted their chances and gave the team the lead. Oriol Soldevila, a former Barcelona youth player, was the focal point of Intercity, which continued throughout the match. Three goals were netted by Soldevila, and Jordi Alba was tortured all night long by the right midfielder. In the extra-time period Ansu Fati proved to be a hero for the Catalunya side, yet he wasn’t the most valuable player of the match. Former La Masia youth player Oriol Soldevila stole the show with a hattrick and became a potential threat Barcelona’s round of 16 ambitions. His first two shots — darts to the far post with precise finishes — were remarkably identical. The third goal, however, was even more remarkable, sending the game into overtime with a sprint down the pitch and a sophisticated nutmeg. Barcelona needed goals from somewhere because Robert Lewandowski was benched for the evening and would soon serve a three-game suspension. Ferran Torres had multiple opportunities but lacked the decisiveness necessary in the final third.
