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Barca edge past Cornella, advance to Copa del Rey in the last 16

Struggling Barcelona edge past third division Cornella in a win 2-0, thanks to a late strike from Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite. 

Barcelona, who were currently reeling from their unsettling defeat against Athletic Bilbao secured their place in the last 16 spots in Copa del Rey. 

Barca missed two penalties in normal time; Cornella keeper Ramon Juan denied midfielder Miralem Pjanic, while Dembele missed another penalty after hitting straight in the keeper's feet.   

This is the third game Barca has played for 120 minutes after playing extra-time in the Spanish Super Cup against Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao last week. Barcelona could have finished the game before extra-time; however, they missed some crucial chances. 

Barcelona in action against minnows, Cornella
Barcelona in action against minnows, Cornella (Image Credits: fcbarcelona.com)

Ramon Juan was outstanding in the match-saving two penalties, thwarting Dembele's long-range shots. Barca created two huge chances in the last 10 minutes, which were missed by Martin Braithwaite and Araujo. 

Within the two minutes of extra-time, Dembele scored a rocket to give Barca lead, though, before the injury, Catalans scored another with a beautiful one-to-one passing between Pedri and Dembele to set an easy goal for Braithwaite to make it 2-0. 

Barcelona is the only team of Spain's top three clubs to progress in the last-16 draw of Copa del Rey after Real Madrid were knocked out of by Alcoyano on Wednesday and La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid were stunned by Cornella last week.

Featured Image Credits - Youtube/Feel my style

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