Spanish champions, Barcelona, has won the Copa del Rey for a 28th time after beating Europa League holders, Sevilla, 2-0 in the final at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday.
Both teams had players sent off in what was a cagey 90 minutes of action, but Barcelona came strong in extra-time and goals from Jordi Alba and Neymar ensured that the Catalan giants would complete a domestic double.
Sevilla’s first half-chance came in the 17th minute when Vitolo set up Coke with a wonderful piece of skill, but the Spaniard could not make proper contact and Barcelona eventually forced it clear after Ter Stegen palmed away an Escudero cross.
Dani Alves hit one from 30 yards as Barcelona continued to dominate possession at the Vicente Calderon, but the right-back’s effort, which came on the half-hour mark, was always moving wide of the post.
The match firmly swung in Sevilla’s favour in the 37th minute, however, when Javier Mascherano was sent off for bringing Gameiro to the deck with a last-man challenge just outside the penalty box. Ever Banega curled the resulting free kick towards the top corner, but Ter Stegen was across to make a fine save.
Sevilla made a bright start to the second period and came close to registering in the 51st minute when Banega struck one from just outside the Barcelona box, but Pique deflected the ball onto the foot of the post.
There was more good news for Sevilla in the 57th minute when the deadliest striker in Europe this season, Suarez, was forced to leave the field with a hamstring problem after overstitching just outside the penalty box.
Sevilla came close to the breakthrough when Grzegorz Krychowiak ran onto a loose ball inside the Barcelona box 25 minutes from time, but Sergio Busquets somehow deflected it wide of the post.
Sevilla were also reduced to 10 men in the second minute of added time at the end of the 90 when Banega brought Neymar to the deck with a clumsy challenge, but Messi’s resulting free kick was comfortable for Rico in what was the final opportunity of normal time in the Spanish capital.
The breakthrough finally came seven minutes into extra-time when Messi delivered a stunning pass into Jordi Alba, who held off the challenge of Vitolo before finishing past Rico for his first goal of the season.
Sevilla boss Emery threw on Fernando Llorente in a bid to force penalties, but the Red and Whites were reduced to nine men in the 121st minute when Carrico dived into Messi and Barcelona scored a second through Neymar moments later to add gloss to the victory.