Lionel Messi proved to be the difference between the two sides as his goals in 90 minutes ensured that Barcelona get a 2-0 win at Cordoba.
Cordoba welcomed Catalan giants Barcelona to their home-ground as they hosted the first leg of the last 16 round of the Copa del Rey.
Lionel Messi was fresh after beating German’s great, Gerd Muller, record tally of 85 goals in a single calendar year and was looking to extend his record of the year by grabbing some more against a lowly Cordoba.
Messi broke the 40 year old record against Real Betis in last weekend’s round of La Liga fixtures.
Barcelona named a mixed looking line-up as Victor Valdes, Fabregas and Andres Iniesta all failed to make it in to the starting 11 for the clash. Pinto, Thiago Alcantara and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-Song-c4804 replaced the above mentioned Blaugrana stars.
Cordoba started very well as they looked to dictate the tempo of the game.
The first chance of the game fell to Fede, whose powerful drive forced a save from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pinto-c30032.
Pedro Antonio then wasted another decent opportunity as he drilled a Dubarbier cross at the far post just wide of the mark.
Barcelona absorbed the early pressure of the hosts and started to settle in with time. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-c34888 was denied a beautiful goal as his effort crashed off the frame of the goal.
Lionel Messi then sent Barcelona ahead in the game on 11 minutes.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 striker unselfishly squared the ball for the Argentine forward, who had a simple task of tapping the ball in to the empty net.
The linesman deemed a home goal offside as he made a narrow call to disallow Renella’s effort.
Cordoba played brilliant and were in search for a goal but against the run of play, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 settled the match with his second of the night.
Messi sprinted in to slide home a decent pass from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979 which killed the game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 are now favourites to go through to the quarter finals of the tournament and host Cordoba at Camp Nou on the 10th of January.
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