Ferran Torres showcased an extraordinary performance on Thursday night, scoring a rapid hat-trick within just 30 minutes, leading FC Barcelona to a commanding 5-0 victory over Valencia in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals at the Estadio de Mestalla. This win secured Barcelona’s place in the semifinals of the prestigious tournament.
The match kicked off with an electric start as Torres found the net in the third minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Valencia to slot home a first-time finish. His second goal came shortly after, benefiting from a rebound when Lamine Yamal’s curling shot struck the post, allowing Torres to tap in the loose ball. By the time he completed his hat-trick, the score was already heavily in Barcelona’s favor, thanks to a clever flick from Raphinha and a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
Barcelona’s dominance continued with Fermin Lopez also finding the back of the net, further exploiting Valencia’s defensive frailties. Yamal, who had a subdued first half, came alive in the second period, scoring the fifth goal in the 59th minute with a deflected shot that left the Valencia goalkeeper wrong-footed.
This match marked a continuation of Barcelona’s recent success against Valencia, having previously defeated them 7-1 in their last league encounter. The contrast in form between the two teams is stark, with Valencia struggling at the bottom of the league table, sitting second from last and four points adrift of safety.
Torres’s second goal initially faced scrutiny for offside but was ultimately validated by VAR, highlighting the technology’s impact in modern football. The home side had little respite as Barcelona relentlessly pressed forward, slicing through the Valencia defense with ease and demonstrating their attacking prowess.
Despite the scoreline, the second half saw Barcelona ease off the intensity, allowing Valencia some breathing room. The home fans, who had begun to exit the stadium early in the match, were spared further humiliation as the pace of the game slowed down significantly.
This hat-trick is notable as it is the fastest for Barcelona since Samuel Eto’o achieved a similar feat in 2008. With this victory, Barcelona aims to reclaim the Copa del Rey title, having last won the tournament in the 2020-21 season. They were eliminated in the semifinals by Real Madrid in the previous season but will now look forward to the final stages of this year’s competition.
Earlier in the week, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid also secured their spots in the semifinals, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to this year’s Copa del Rey.