Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Image
Barcelona’s journey in the Copa del Rey is rarely straightforward.
In Guadalajara, Hansi Flick’s side were dragged into a raw, physical and emotionally charged contest that demanded far more than technical superiority.
While the final scoreline will show a professional victory, the reality was that Barça had to earn their passage the hard way against a host side determined to turn the evening into a chapter of Copa folklore.
The match appeared to be drifting towards extra time before Andreas Christensen finally broke the deadlock.
Marcus Rashford later added the second to ensure qualification, but Barcelona were left with the feeling that this was a night that could easily have slipped away.
Beyond the goals and the qualification, several key moments and subplots largely escaped wider attention.
Barcelona’s visit to Guadalajara was historic, and the city treated it as such. For many locals, it was the biggest sporting occasion they had ever witnessed.
To meet unprecedented demand, the club authorised the installation of three additional temporary stands, raising the capacity of the Pedro Escartín to 8,500 spectators.
Every ticket was sold, but the absence of numbered seating turned entry into a logistical nightmare.
Supporters began queuing as early as three in the afternoon, standing in the rain for hours like concert-goers waiting for doors to open.
Frustration quickly built, especially when the match was delayed by thirty minutes due to outstanding Civil Protection permits required to open the extra stands.
Police concerns over potential crowd surges led to gates remaining shut until half past eight in the evening. Even then, only one of the temporary stands was eventually opened.
The other two were never approved in time, meaning around 500 ticket-holding fans were unable to enter the stadium at all.
The proximity of Guadalajara to Madrid ensured a heavy presence of Real Madrid supporters in the stands, and their influence was felt throughout the match.
Lamine Yamal, in particular, became the focal point of sustained hostility. Every touch of the ball was met with whistles, mirroring the reception he has previously received at the Santiago Bernabéu.
From the stands, chants usually associated with Real Madrid’s home ground rang out.
First came accusations directed at Spanish football’s hierarchy, with fans shouting “Corruption in the Federation”.
That was followed by calls aimed at La Liga’s president, with cries of “Tebas go now”.
The atmosphere was further inflamed when supporters broke into the familiar anthem “How am I not going to love you”, a chant synonymous with Madridismo.
Yamal endured a bruising night on the pitch. He played the full 90 minutes in freezing conditions, was repeatedly fouled by Guadalajara players and struggled to find the decisive moment he so often produces.
Late in the second half, frustration boiled over as he removed his gloves and angrily tossed them onto the turf after another attack broke down.
Vinicius Jr. lookaline
Vinicius Jr. lookaline was in the stands. (Photo credit: Sport)
While Barcelona were battling on the field, a curious subplot unfolded in the stands.
With Real Madrid set to face Talavera later today, many assumed Vinicius Jr. would be focused on his own commitments.
Yet his presence at the Pedro Escartín caused a stir – only for it to emerge that it was not the Brazilian superstar at all.
Instead, fans were snapping photos with Ricardo Rincon, a well-known Vinicius lookalike who attended the match wearing a CD Guadalajara shirt.
Sitting near the press area with friends, Rincon happily posed for pictures and soaked up the attention.
In the end, Barcelona advanced, but this was not a routine Copa del Rey outing. It was a reminder that in this competition, prestige counts for little once the ball starts rolling.
Gerard Martin of FC Barcelona
Gerard Martin of FC Barcelona