Dembele fires Barca into Copa last four
MADRID: Ousmane Dembele’s strike, capping a brilliant individual display, helped Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1-0 on Wednesday, and reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
The French forward struck in the 52nd minute to power the record 31-time cup-winners through against 10-man La Real, who had Brais Mendez sent off late in the first half.
Barcelona have enjoyed a strong start to 2023, winning the Spanish Super Cup and moving three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, and continued it in a pulsating cup clash on Wednesday.
Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad have thrilled in the league, sitting third, but were missing veteran playmaker David Silva and Mikel Merino through injury.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, on his 43rd birthday, guided his team to a nervy victory, thanks to Dembele.
The Catalans came out of the blocks quickly and Robert Lewandowski had an effort blocked after the electric Dembele found him.
At the other end Takefusa Kubo crashed a shot against the crossbar, as the game ebbed and flowed in entertaining fashion.
Barcelona fans frequently showed their ire towards referee Jesus Gil Manzano in the first half — he was the official who sent off Lewandowski against Osasuna in November, resulting in a ban which the Pole is still serving in La Liga.
However it was Real Sociedad midfielder Mendez who was sent off at Camp Nou on Wednesday, just before half-time.
The Spaniard lunged in on Sergio Busquets, catching his compatriot with his studs above the ankle.
Early in the second half, Barcelona broke the deadlock when Jules Kounde slid Dembele in down the right wing and he drove into the box and lashed the ball past Alex Remiro at the near post.
It was the French forward’s third goal in six games and another sign of his superb form under Xavi.
“It’s hard to stop a player at such a level, in form and having a day like this,” said Alguacil.
“We made things too easy for him in the first half... I think we were afraid. If you give half a metre to Dembele, you’re screwed.”
Real Sociedad, despite their numerical disadvantage, battled well and should have levelled when Alexander Sorloth fired over from only a couple of yards out.
The Norwegian striker had netted five goals in his previous six games and looked aghast at his miss.
Barcelona survived two late scares after Marc-Andre ter Stegen gave the ball away but then saved from Robert Navarro and produced another fine stop to deny Jon Ander Olasagasti.
Elsewhere Osasuna earned a 2-1 win over Sevilla in extra-time to reach the semis for the first time since 2005, when they finished as runners-up to Real Betis.
RESULTS
(aet denotes after extra time)
Quarter finals
Barcelona 1 Real Sociedad 0; Osasuna 2 Sevilla 1 aet