Barcelona needed late goals from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford to beat third-tier Guadalajara 2-0 in the Copa del Rey round of 32 on Tuesday, in a match that was postponed due to problems with the stadium’s temporary stand.
The kick-off was postponed by half an hour because local authorities initially did not allow fans access to the newly built stands at the Pedro Escartín Stadium in the city of Guadalajara near Madrid.
There were long lines outside the stadium until police finally allowed fans inside. With the new stands, the stadium’s capacity increased from almost 6,000 to approximately 8,000.
Barcelona were in control from the start but struggled to create significant scoring opportunities against their lower tier opponents.
Christensen finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a header from a Frenkie De Jong cross. Christensen’s header hit a defender and then hit the net.
The hosts had a few chances to level but were unable to convert, with Rashford sealing the win after a breakaway in the 90th.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick rested a number of the team’s regulars ahead of the La Liga leaders’ visit to third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who underwent back surgery in the off-season, was back in the starting lineup after 212 days.
Defender Pau Cubarsí, 18, made his 100th appearance for Barcelona. He made his first-team debut with the club in a Copa match in January 2024.
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“These are tough games,” Cubarsí said. «They come out with full force, and we have to come out with the same intensity. They did a great job, but we deserved it. We had more rhythm and more chances in the second half. As time went on, they started to get tired.»
In the unrest of the evening, second division club Deportivo La Coruna eliminated top player Mallorca 1-0.
The other clubs from the first division moved up. Real Sociedad beat Eldense 2-1 with a winner deep into stoppage time, while Valencia beat Sporting Gijon 2-0.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid visits third division club Talavera, while Atletico Madrid visits fourth division club Atletico Baleares.
Published on December 17, 2025
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