Thriller decided in extra time

Not many people had heard of intercity CF before this game. They certainly have now! Barça may have progressed in the end, but only after the Alicante periphery outfit, founded just five years ago, had managed to disallow the La Liga leaders’ goals on no less than three occasions.

A very entertaining match that FC Barcelona ended up winning thanks to Ansu Fati’s goal in extra time.

Barça will find out who their round of 16 are in the draw on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The match will be played on January 17, 18 or 19, following the Spain Supercup in Saudi Arabia.

Araujo Opener

They may have been up against a third-tier tea, but Xavi was well aware that these games are often much more complicated than they appear on paper. Inaki Pena He took Ter Stegen’s place in goal, and some less common starters got into the side, but even so it was a very strong eleventh that started the game.

And then Ronald Araujo He celebrated his return from injury by heading in a simple header from a corner after four minutes, it seemed that Barça was going to shoot this.

In fact, the top-flight team completely dominated the game, creating chance after chance. But a squandering finish in front meant they were unable to extend their lead.

Intercity once responded…

And although Barça never seemed uncomfortable with their advantage, there were some warnings from the locals.

Aaron Pinan he came close to finishing off an impressive charge to score the equalizer, but Araujo recovered in time to block the shot and the same player pulled a fine save from Peña before Intercity struck.

Oriol Soldevila He finished off from very close range and against all odds the local fans were celebrating the tie.

Twice…

The goal woke up the RFEF First Division team. Barca seemed really upset before Ousmane Dembele collected a gavi pass and capped off a good run with a sublimely well-executed shot.

With the scare behind them, Barca now looked set to cruise to the finish line. But Intercity had not yet had its last word. A header from Soldevila brought them back to 2-2.

And three times…

The joy of the local fans only lasted three minutes. Jordi Alba he placed a ridiculously perfect ball into the Intercity goal and raphinha He did it to put Barça ahead for the third time.

It was turning into a most extraordinary football game. He barely had a housewife Gaizka Fields made an amazing save to deny Raphinha that Mark Alonso They robbed him in midfield and Soldevila completed his hat-trick.

This was sometime for the 21-year-old. Barça since he was born and that two seasons ago he was a member of the Barça U-19 team he will not soon forget this.

Ansu Fati solves it

This game went into overtime. And just before the extra time break, Barça opened the scoring for the fourth time. Ansu Fati He was a little lucky that his shot from the edge of the area went wide on entry, but that was how it was 4-3.

Surely Intercity wouldn’t do it again? Sure they tried, but Barça was not in the mood for more surprises. It ended 4-3 and there was no blaugrana blush and Xavi and his team march to the round of 16.

But all credit goes to Intercity for putting up such a tremendous fight. What game!

Credit: https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3009399/intercity-3-4-fc-barcelona-thriller-decided-in-extra-time