Thu Jan 15 20:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Barcelona Scrapes Past Racing Santander in Copa del Rey, Real Madrid Stumbles

The Story:
Defending champion Barcelona narrowly avoided a Copa del Rey upset, defeating second-division Racing Santander 2-0 on Thursday. This victory came a day after Real Madrid’s surprising 3-2 loss to Albacete, another second-tier team. Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, and Lamine Yamal sealed the win in added time, securing Barcelona’s place in the quarterfinals and marking their 11th straight win.

Barcelona’s victory offers a sharp contrast to Real Madrid’s elimination, especially considering Madrid’s loss to Barcelona in the previous year’s Copa final. Racing Santander put up a strong fight, with two disallowed goals and a late one-on-one chance that was thwarted by Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.

Key Points:

  • Barcelona defeated Racing Santander 2-0 to advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
  • Real Madrid was eliminated from the Copa del Rey after losing 3-2 to Albacete.
  • Ferran Torres scored the first goal for Barcelona in the 66th minute.
  • Lamine Yamal secured the win with a goal in stoppage time.
  • Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García made a crucial save in stoppage time to preserve the lead.
  • The match was delayed by 15 minutes due to stadium access issues.
  • Racing Santander gave Barcelona a guard of honor before the match, celebrating their Spanish Super Cup victory.

Key Takeaways:

  • Barcelona is demonstrating resilience and consistency with their 11th consecutive win, crucial for maintaining momentum in multiple competitions.
  • Real Madrid’s early exit from the Copa del Rey marks a significant setback, particularly in the debut of their new coach, Álvaro Arbeloa.
  • The Copa del Rey is proving to be a challenging competition for top-tier teams, with second-division teams posing a credible threat.
  • Goalkeeping performances are emerging as critical factors in the Copa del Rey, as evidenced by Joan García’s late-game save for Barcelona.
  • Squad depth and strategic substitutions are important, as Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s second-half substitutions influenced the game’s outcome.

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