The second leg of the last-16 Copa del Rey clash between Getafe and Barcelona took place in Madrid this evening.
Barcelona entered the match as the overwhelming favourites having claimed a 4-0 win when the two sides met in the first leg last week.
That lead became 5-0 in the latter stages of the first period when Lionel Messi converted from close range, before the Argentine scored his second just past the hour mark.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Copa del Rey last-16 coverage comes to a close this evening as Getafe welcome Barcelona to Madrid for the second leg. The Catalan outfit will enter the match as the firm favourites to advance having claimed a 4-0 win in the first leg last week, with Lionel Messi scoring twice on his return to action.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Getafe. Barcelona have won each of the last five matches, scoring an incredible 23 times in the process and conceding just four. As mentioned, the pair have already met in the league this season in Madrid, with Barcelona running out 5-2 winners before Christmas.
Getafe, who sit 11th in La Liga, were paired with Girona in the fourth round, but advanced to this stage of the competition following a 5-2 aggregate win. Meanwhile, Barcelona made light work of Cartagena in the previous round to advance with an aggregate score of 7-1. The Spanish champions also currently top La Liga on 50 points.
TEAMS:
GETAFE: Codina; Alexis, Rafa, Lago, Vigaray; Rodriguez, Lacen, Michel; Lafita, Colunga, Sarabia
BARCELONA: Pinto; Alves, Puyol, Bartra, Adriano; Song, Roberto, Fabregas; Messi, Neymar, Tello
So there we have it. No Pedro Leon or Ciprian Marica in the Getafe XI this evening, but Adrian Colunga, Lafita and Pablo Sarabia are all selected in an attacking lineup. The good news for Getafe is that there is no Andres Iniesta or Xavi for Barcelona, but Lionel Messi starts his first match since returning from a hamstring injury. Right, the away side get the second leg underway in the Spanish capital.
Right, Getafe need to score at least four times this evening against a very strong Barcelona XI. Impossible? Just about. It will be interesting to see how both teams start. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a strong atmosphere. Getafe will need their supporters to stay with them.
It will not come as much of a surprise that Barcelona have taken control of the possession inside four minutes in Madrid. Neymar attempts to force the issue as he drives down the left, but Alexis is on hand to clear the danger. Sarabia has possession down the other end moments later, but his low effort is blocked by Bartra, who starts at centre-back tonight.
CHANCE! Almost a stunning opener from Barcelona as Neymar faces up Carlos before finding Messi on the edge of the box, but his effort just flashes wide of the post. Codina could only stand and watch. That would have all but ended Getafe's already-slim hopes.
Neither side has been allowed to settle in the early exchanges with a number of challenges arriving in the middle of the park. Dani Alves attempts to find the run of Messi moments later, but Codina is across to claim. Barcelona enjoy a period of extended possession moments later, but Getafe are comfortable in dealing with the danger.
It's bright work from Vigaray as the Getafe youngster breaks down the right before attempting to drill a low cross into the box, but Adriano is across to clear at the vital moment. The home side break once more through Lafita, but Puyol sweeps behind Bartra. That Messi chance remains the only clear opportunity after 11 minutes in the Spanish capital.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Barcelona to threaten from a free kick as Vigaray fells Adriano down the left. The resulting set piece from Messi finds Tello at the far post, but the Spaniard can only slice his effort high and wide of Codina's crossbar.
Just a reminder that Barcelona lead 4-0 from the first leg last week. As a result, Getafe need to score at least four times to stand a chance of advancing into the next round. The home side gain a free kick some 45 yards from goal, but Vigaray is found in an offside position following the delivery from Lafita. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock.
Bright period of the match for Getafe as they attempt to counter twice in quick succession, but the final pass is just short on both occasions. The first yellow card of the match is awarded to the home side, however, with Alexis bringing down Neymar just outside the box. Messi takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight into the arms of Codina.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with a number of late challenges arriving from both sides. A mistake from Alexis hands Tello possession just outside the Getafe box moments later, but the Spaniard's effort is blocked.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Lafita finds Juan Rodriguez unmarked inside the Barcelona box. The Spaniard does everything right as he connects with power, but Pinto is on hand to make a stunning save.
Half-chance for Barcelona this time as Neymar drives to the by-line before firing a low cross into the box, but Alexis is on hand to clear. It does not look too clever for Neymar, who falls to the ground in pain. Alexis Sanchez has been sent to warm-up as the Brazilian receives treatment off the pitch.
Neymar continues to receive treatment on the sidelines. It appears that he might have rolled his ankle when attempting to cross the ball. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Getafe are enjoying more of the ball in the final third.
It is not good news for Barcelona and Neymar, with the Brazilian forced to leave the field. Getafe will be pleased to see the back of the youngster, but his replacement is Alexis Sanchez, who is enjoying his best season. It does not get any easier for Getafe.
End-to-end match in the last couple of moments with both sides committing numbers in the final third. Sarabia leads a counter for Getafe after Messi had failed to find the run of Sanchez, but the move breaks down when Puyol comes across to clear. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
Barcelona players are going down all over the place at the moment with Alves hitting the deck. It is a surprise that Gerardo Martino selected a number of his key players for this particular match with the tie all but won. The injury to Neymar looks serious and it could see the forward miss a number of weeks.
In truth, not too much is happening at the moment with both sides guilty of some poor passing in the final third. It was always going to be a strange match with a 4-0 scoreline in the first leg. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere, but it is almost like a pre-season fixture at the moment.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Tello finds some space on the edge of the box following a heavy touch from Alexis, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Alexis falls to the ground moments later and it does look a nasty one. What is it with this match and injuries! Lisandro Lopez is warming up on the sidelines.
Getafe are indeed also forced into a change with Alexis leaving the field for Lisandro Lopez. It was an off-the-ball incident that saw Alexis hold his groin and he has indeed been carried off on a stretcher. That has been the story of the first period thus far with clear chances at a premium.
Half-chance for Roberto this time as the Barcelona midfielder strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Just a reminder that Barcelona are currently 4-0 ahead on aggregate following their win in the Nou Camp last week.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Barcelona have started to dominate the possession once more. Roberto and Messi both have efforts in quick succession, but Rafa and Lago take it in turns to clear the danger. It remains goalless on the night as we enter the latter stages of the first period.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Sanchez finds some space inside the box, but his effort is tame and straight into the arms of Codina. Lafita has an opportunity down the other end moments later, but his effort is high and wide.
GOAL! Getafe 0-1 Barcelona (Messi)
Barcelona take the lead on the night in the latter stages of the first period as Messi turns a Tello cross into the back of the net from close range. That is game, set and match as far as this last-16 clash is concerned.
HALF-TIME: Getafe 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona leading 1-0 on the night through Lionel Messi. On aggregate, the Catalan outfit now lead 5-0. It might have come at a price, however, with Neymar seemingly suffering a serious ankle injury in the early stages of the half.
STATISTICS: Barcelona have dominated the possession with 66%, while they have had 10 attempts - two of which have been on target - to Getafe's five. In truth, it was not a half full of excitement. However, Getafe have given a good account of themselves thus far.
BENCH WATCH: Getafe have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Marica, Leon and Castro, but it would be a surprise to see them with this tie certainly over and league matters to concentrate on at the weekend. Barcelona, meanwhile, have the likes of Pedro, Xavi and Gerard Pique on their bench this evening. They have already been forced into one change, with Sanchez replacing the injured Neymar.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that the winner of this match will face Levante in the quarter-finals. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway in the Spanish capital. Can Getafe secure a positive result on the night?
According to reports on Twitter, Neymar has suffered a sprained tendon in his right ankle, although this has not been confirmed by Barcelona. If that is the case, the Brazilian could be facing an extended period on the sidelines. The win for Barcelona might have come at a big price this evening.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not too surprising at this stage of proceedings. Getafe were also forced into a change in the first period with Alexis departing with a groin injury. His replacement was Lisandro Lopez. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the half, with the referee on hand to deal with a number of late challenges.
Here is the official word from Barcelona on Neymar: "Neymar sprained the peroneal tendon in his right ankle. He will undergo additional tests tomorrow." That statement was made on the club's Twitter feed just moments ago. That could be three weeks or it could be three months. Right back to the action, Barcelona are dominating the possession in the early stages of the half, but neither side has been able to force the issue thus far.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score their second as Alves finds Tello at the far post, but the Spaniard can only thump his effort wide of the post. The winger has had a couple of those this evening, but taken neither.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides forcing the issue with dangerous crosses. Tello delivers for Barcelona, but Codina is on hand to claim, before Adrian has one picked out the air by Barcelona stopper Pinto. Little under 35 minutes of this Copa del Rey clash remaining in the Spanish capital.
In fairness to Getafe, they have not let their heads drop in the second period and continue to commit players in the final third. Lisandro Lopez enters the referee's book moments later, however, for bring down Roberto outside the box. The resulting free kick is taken by Messi, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Half-chance for Getafe as Colunga strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Pinto. The home side make their second change of the match moments later as Pedro Leon replaces Sarabia, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the Getafe box with Roberto and Fabregas both involved, but the move breaks down when the latter loses possession. Colunga delivers a dangerous cross into the Barcelona box moments later, but Bartra is on hand to clear the danger. It remains 1-0 on the night to the Spanish champions.
GOAL! Getafe 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Barcelona have their second of the night just past the hour mark as Messi rounds Codina before sliding his effort into the bottom corner. Two months out, but some things never change.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Messi to score his third as he drives into the Getafe box once more, but Codina stands tall to make the block. This could get worse for the home side as the match continues to open up.
Getafe make their third and final change as Diego Castro replaces Juan Rodriguez for the final 20 minutes or so. Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure in the last couple of moments, with Barcelona comfortable in possession of the ball.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score their third as Messi slides a low pass towards Tello, but Getafe's young right-back is across to clear at the vital moment. Bad news for the home side - Pedro is now warming up.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Sanchez finds Messi on the edge of the box. Under two challenges, somehow Messi manages to force an effort towards goal, but Codina is on hand to make the save. The intensity of this match has risen in the last five minutes even though Barcelona lead 6-0 on aggregate. Xavi enters moments later in place of Fabregas.
Half-chance for Alexis as the Barcelona forward collects possession outside the box before attempting to drill one into the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Not too much from Getafe, however, with the home side lacking the final pass.
Nervy moment for Codina as the Getafe goalkeeper comes and gets nowhere near a deep cross from Xavi, but Tello cannot place the rebound into the bottom corner. Just a reminder that Barcelona will face Levante in the next round. Well unless Getafe score seven times in the next 13 minutes or so.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Getafe to register their first of the evening as Colunga meets a low cross from Vigaray, but his effort is straight at Pinto from close range. The home side have had their moments this evening.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Tello drives down the left before rolling a low cross into the box, but it is just behind Messi and Michel is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The home supporters have started to make their way toward the exits as we enter the final 10 minutes in Madrid.
Barcelona continue to flood forward with Messi and Sanchez combining on the edge of the box, but Codina is on hand to claim at the vital moment. Getafe attempt to force the issue through Colunga, but his low cross is straight into the arms of Pinto, who has been more involved in the second period.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Messi to score his third as he breaks beyond the Getafe defence before facing up to Codina, but the Getafe stopper stands tall and makes a fine save. It is not too often that you see Messi miss those.
Getafe have worked hard this evening, but have simply been unable to match the quality from their opponents. In truth, this tie was over last week when Barcelona won 4-0 in the first leg. Another half-chance for the away side as Tello finds space on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
FULL-TIME: Getafe 0-2 Barcelona
So there we have it. Barcelona advance into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 2-0 win over Getafe. The Catalan outfit will face Levante in the next round. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
