The Sub Who Sparked Barça: Fermín López Elevates Barcelona Toward a Copa del Rey Quarterfinal

Key moments

Barcelona reached the Copa del Rey quarterfinals and already knew a clash with Real Madrid in this stage would be unlikely. Real Madrid, under Arbeloa, had faced the bottom side of the second division, while Barça took control and beat the league leaders on a top-tier stage.

Racing Santander pressed hard and played with grit, but Barcelona looked cohesive and clear in their plan, and finally opened the scoring after a spell of pressure.

Lamine Yamal tried every avenue, but was too isolated; Jules Koundé arrived repeatedly but could not deliver a precise cross; Olmo looked heavy; Balde couldn't beat a man, leaving the first half with few chances.

After the break, Barça raised the tempo, played with more urgency, and grew more vertical, generating chances that remained unconverted until the substitute changed the game.

Fermín López came on and changed the dynamic: a swift counter, a pass that found Ferrán Torres in space, and a composed finish to open the scoring.

As in the Spanish Super Cup, Barça pressed again and built danger, with Racing’s defense holding firm at times. In the 94th minute, Juan García flashed to the rescue and kept the tie from going to extra time.

Moments later, on another counter, Lamine Yamal finished in style to seal the 0-2 victory, earning the man-of-the-match nod and sending Barça toward the quarterfinals.

Now the draw for the next round is due on Monday, with Barça hoping for a favorable pairing and more silverware ambition.

Punchline 1: The bench is Barça’s sniper squad—quiet, precise, and deadly in stoppage time.

Punchline 2: If football were a target range, Fermín López would be the sharp shooter who always hits the net.