Yamal's Late Strike Seals Barcelona's Commanding Copa del Rey Win

SANTANDER, SPAIN — Barcelona delivered a masterful performance in the Copa del Rey, overwhelming Racing Santander with a commanding 2-0 victory that showcased their tactical brilliance and attacking prowess. Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 66th minute with a clinical finish, before young sensation Lamine Yamal dramatically sealed the win with a late goal in the 90+5th minute, sending Barcelona's away supporters into raptures.

The match was a comprehensive display of possession football, with Barcelona dominating an astonishing 77.4% of the ball throughout the contest. Racing Santander found themselves pinned back, struggling to create meaningful opportunities against the Catalan side's suffocating tactical approach. Ferran Torres' breakthrough goal came after a sublime through ball from Fermín López, who carved open the home defense with surgical precision.

Barcelona's attacking intent was evident from the opening whistle, with multiple chances testing Racing Santander's goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta. The keeper made a series of impressive saves, including crucial stops against Robert Lewandowski and Fermín López in the 79th minute, temporarily holding Barcelona at bay. Torres' 66th-minute goal finally broke the home side's resistance, rewarding Barcelona's persistent pressure.

The statistical dominance was overwhelming. Barcelona launched 17 shots compared to Racing's meager 6, with 7 shots finding the target against just 3 from the home side. The visitors also won 10 corners to Racing's 3, further illustrating their complete control of the match. Despite Racing Santander's spirited resistance, they were ultimately outclassed by Barcelona's technical superiority.

The turning point came with Torres' opener, which visibly deflated Racing's fighting spirit. Lamine Yamal then delivered the knockout blow in the dying moments, assisted by Raphinha. His close-range finish in the 90+5th minute not only secured the victory but also highlighted Barcelona's remarkable strength in depth and attacking dynamism.

Tactically, Barcelona's midfield controlled the match rhythm, with players like Dani Olmo and later Pedri dictating play through intelligent movement and precise passing. The defensive line, marshaled confidently, ensured Racing Santander rarely threatened Joan García's goal, completing a comprehensive and professional performance.

The match wasn't without moments of tension, with four yellow cards shown - three to Racing Santander and one to Barcelona's Fermín López. These moments added a competitive edge to what could have been a one-sided encounter, demonstrating Racing's determination despite being comprehensively outplayed.

Looking ahead, Barcelona will travel to face Alhama on January 18, carrying significant momentum from this impressive Copa del Rey victory. The win not only advances them in the tournament but also sends a powerful message to their competitors about their current form, tactical capabilities, and depth of talent.