BARCELONA BEATS 10-MAN REAL SOCIEDAD 1-0 TO REACH COPA DE REY SEMIFINALS

Ousmane Dembélé’s goal early in the second half helped Barcelona defeat 10-man Real Sociedad 1-0 at home on Wednesday, advancing to the Copa del Rey semifinals.

The result ended Sociedad’s nine-game winning streak, which began in the 40th minute when Brais Méndez was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets.

It was Sociedad’s 27th consecutive defeat to Barcelona as a visitor. It has not won at the Catalan club in 31 matches since 1991.

The Basque Country side arrived as one of Spain’s hottest teams, having won 21 of 28 games in all competitions this season, with 13 of those victories coming on the road. It had only lost four games in total and is currently third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona.

Barcelona, on the other hand, dominated for the majority of the game, and opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with Dembélé’s angled shot from inside the area following a pass into space by defender Jules Koundé.

Sociedad had a couple of good chances near the end but couldn’t convert, thanks to big saves from Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.

Barcelona was eliminated in the round of 16 last season and won the Copa del Rey in 2021, its last title before Lionel Messi’s departure. The Catalan club has won four consecutive matches, including the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia against Real Madrid.

Barcelona coach Xavi brought back Robert Lewandowski after the Poland striker was unable to play against Getafe in the Spanish league due to a suspension.

Due to a muscle injury, Sociedad was without veteran playmaker David Silva.

Barcelona defeated third-tier club Ceuta in the round of 16, while Sociedad defeated Mallorca.

Struggling On Wednesday, Sevilla will play Osasuna in the other quarterfinal. On Thursday, Real Madrid hosts city rival Atletico Madrid, while Athletic Bilbao travels to Valencia.

The semifinals will be drawn on Monday.