Barca claim double with King’s Cup win

Sevilla finish with 9 men Luis to make copa

Barcelona team pose for a photo as they celebrate after winning the Spanish ‘Copa del Rey’ (King’s Cup) final match FC Barcelona vs Sevilla FC at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid on May 22. (AFP) MADRID, May 23, (RTRS): Ten-man Barcelona retained the King’s Cup with a 2-0 victory over Sevilla to complete a domestic double thanks to extra-time goals by Jordi Alba and Neymar at the Vicente Calderon stadium.

Luis Enrique’s La Liga champions had Javier Mascherano sent off in the 36th minute but kept the score at 0-0 before Sevilla had Ever Banega dismissed in added time at the end of 90 minutes.

With both teams down to 10 men, Barcelona began to take control in the extra period and left back Alba burst down the wing to score in the 97th after a superb chip from Lionel Messi.

Sevilla were then reduced to nine players when defender Daniel Carrico was sent off for dissent late on and Neymar doubled Barcelona’s lead after also being set up by Messi. Sevilla’s defender Coke (left), vies with Barcelona’s French defender Jeremy Mathieu during the Spanish ‘Copa del Rey’ (King’s Cup) final match FC Barcelona vs Sevilla FC at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in

Madrid on May 22. (AFP)

elimination, and thus failure to repeat the treble of 2015-16, spoiled the campaign.

“It was a nice final, intense and exciting,” he said. “It was a last push for the club to complete a magnificent season. All finals are hard, but this was great, both we and Sevilla played well.”

The game’s dynamic changed drastically when Kevin Gameiro, whose pace troubled Barca all night, was brought down when Mascherano grabbed his shirt on the edge of the box.

Referee Carlos del Cerro Grande sent the Argentine off and Sevilla began to take control. Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen tipped Banega’s free kick over the bar and then watched the midfielder’s next effort hit the inside of the post.

Barca top scorer Luis Suarez limped off injured just before the hour mark, with the Uruguayan crying on the bench.