Barca produce stunning comeback to progress to semis

Barca failed to make the semi-finals last season and it looked like they would be deprived of the chance to regain the trophy but some 88th and 92nd-minute goals saw them take it to extra-time and produce a spirited comeback.

Right from the off the visitors were the better side with Granada keeper Aaron involved early on to keep out Trincao's shot. Granada then had their best chance of the match not long after but Puertas could only head Soldado's cross wide.

Aaron was the key man for Granada with many shots coming his way while Ter Stegen had nothing to do. However, the German goalie had to pick the ball out the net in the 33rd minute when some calamitous defending from Umtiti ended in Kenedy tapping into the net from Soro's cross.

The hosts were 2-0 up just after the break with Umtiti again the villain. The Frenchman let Soldado get away from him and the ex-Tottenham striker latched onto the long ball over the top from Montoro to put Granada into dreamland.

Barca now needed a goal but it didn't look to be their night with Trincao and Dembélé hitting the woodwork while Aaron produced some heroics to keep out a Griezmann overhead-kick.

Time was running out for Barca but they got a lifeline two minutes from time when Greizmann's back-post shot hit the post and cannoned off the helpless Aaron and into the net.

Granada thought they'd been saved when Messi's shot hit the inside of the post in the 90th minute but Alba levelled in the second minute of added time to produce a remarkable comeback.

It was more of the same when extra-time resumed with Aaron being called into action again to save Messi's shot but Barca got their reward when Greizmann fired his header past Aaron in the 100th minute.

It looked like it was game over for the Andalusians as they failed to register a single shot in the additional period until Dest was adjudged to have fouled Nevas in the box right before half-time. Vico calmly stepped up and sent Ter Stegen the wrong way.

De Jong restored the lead for Barcelona in the 108th minute as he tapped home the rebound from Messi's shot and Alba killed off any chances of a Granada comeback when he netted his second goal of the evening 7 minutes from time.

Barcelona join Sevilla and Levante in the semi-finals. They will be joined by either Real Betis or Athletic Bilbao.

 

February 3, 2021