GUADALAJARA, Spain: Late strikes from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory for Barcelona against third-tier side Guadalajara on Tuesday, sending the Catalans through to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona labored for much of the match at the Pedro Escartin stadium, holding over 80 percent of possession but struggling to break down a disciplined five-man Guadalajara defense.
The home side posed a constant threat on the counter-attack and frustrated the European heavyweights for long stretches.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick introduced regular starters Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Jules Kounde, and Pedri from the bench in the second half, seeking a breakthrough.
The changes finally paid dividends in the 77th minute when Frenkie de Jong whipped in a cross from the right and defender Christensen rose highest to meet the delivery, with his header deflecting off Guadalajara’s Julio Martinez before nestling in the net.
The hosts nearly produced an immediate response, with Salifo Caropitche unleashing a fierce drive from distance, but Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen — who was playing his first game for Barca since May — reacted superbly to tip the effort over the bar, preserving his side’s slender lead.
Guadalajara’s hopes were extinguished in the dying moments when Lamine Yamal played a sublime through-ball into the path of Rashford.
The English forward showed great composure, wrong-footing keeper Dani Vicente with a quick cut to his left before tapping the ball into the empty net to wrap up the result for Barcelona.
“These are tricky matches; they come out with everything they’ve got and we have to do the same,” Cubarsi told TVE.
“In the second half, we picked up the pace and moved them from side to side to tire them out. As the minutes passed, they grew tired, and that was the key point. They played spectacularly well.”
Christensen and Rashford on target as Barcelona beat Guadalajara in Copa del Rey
https://arab.news/gsk2m
Christensen and Rashford on target as Barcelona beat Guadalajara in Copa del Rey
- Guadalajara’s hopes were extinguished in the dying moments when Lamine Yamal played a sublime through-ball into the path of Rashford
Preparations intensify for the Hail Toyota International Baja
- Lineup underscores the rally’s growing stature on the regional and global motorsport calendar
- Route passes through the Great Nafud Desert, one of the region’s most distinctive natural landscapes
HAIL: With just seven days remaining until the start, attention across the motorsport and rally community is turning to Hail, as preparations intensify for the Hail Toyota International Baja, scheduled to take place from Jan 28–31.
The rally is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the Hail Region Emirate and the Hail Region Development Authority. Jameel Motorsport is the official partner, alongside the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.
This year’s edition brings together a strong slate of international and regional championships, including the FIA World Baja Cup, the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, the FIM World Baja Cup and the FIM Asia Baja Cup, in addition to the opening round of the Saudi Toyota Baja Championship. The lineup underscores the rally’s growing stature on the regional and global motorsport calendar.
Competitors will face demanding conditions, with the rally staged amid Hail’s cold winter climate and across varied terrain. The route passes through the Great Nafud Desert, one of the region’s most distinctive natural landscapes, known for its towering dunes, expansive golden sands and technically challenging tracks that demand high levels of driving skill and navigational precision.
The rally program features broad participation across multiple categories and consists of three competitive stages. Action begins with a prologue covering 35 kilometers, including a 6-kilometer timed special stage. This is followed by the first stage spanning 417 kilometers, with 245 kilometers against the clock, before the second and final stage over 323 kilometers, including a 151-kilometer timed section.
Alongside the sporting action, the 2026 Hail Toyota International Baja will offer a comprehensive program of accompanying activities, providing an integrated experience for visitors and residents alike. The program combines sport, entertainment and community engagement, contributing to increased tourism and economic activity in the Hail region.
