Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal were on target as Barcelona secured a 2-0 win away to Racing Santander to book their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals and extend their winning run to 11 matches in all competitions.
Despite naming a strong side, Barcelona were made to work hard by the Segunda Division leaders, who twice had the ball in the net only for both efforts to be ruled out for offside.
The holders dominated possession but struggled to carve out clear chances in the first half, with Dani Olmo spurning their best opening after failing to connect with Marcus Rashford’s cross.
Barca eventually found the breakthrough in the second half when Fermin Lopez slipped Torres through on goal, and the forward calmly rounded goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta before finishing into an empty net.
Racing pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Joan Garcia produced a crucial late save to deny Manex Lozano and keep the visitors in control.
With Racing committing men forward, Barcelona sealed the tie at the death as Yamal tapped in Raphinha’s cross at the back post to cap a hard-fought victory and send the Catalans into the last eight.
