Racing Santander vs Barcelona Highlights: Barça Secure 2–0 Victory in Copa del Rey.
Racing Santander vs Barcelona Highlights: Barcelona secured a dominant 2–0 victory in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, booking their place in the quarterfinals with a professional and controlled performance.
Barcelona delivered a commanding display as they defeated Racing Santander 2–0 at the historic Campos de Sport de El Sardinero. The Catalan giants dominated possession, dictated passing tempo, and showed attacking precision to comfortably progress in Spain’s prestigious domestic cup.
Although Racing Santander entered the match with strong home support and high spirits, they were ultimately outclassed by a Barcelona side blending youthful energy with elite experience. Goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres sealed a deserved victory for Hans-Dieter Flick’s men.
Racing Santander vs Barcelona Highlights – Match Summary
From the opening whistle, Barcelona imposed their rhythm on the game. Racing tried to remain compact, but Barça’s midfield control and relentless passing made resistance extremely difficult.
This match clearly showcased why Barcelona remain one of Europe’s most dominant possession-based teams.
Team Lineups and Tactical Approach
Racing Santander (4-4-2 Formation)
Coach: José López
Racing set up in a compact 4-4-2 system, focusing on defensive organization and counterattacks. Their strategy was to absorb pressure and capitalize on rare Barcelona mistakes. However, maintaining defensive structure against Barça’s relentless passing proved nearly impossible.
Barcelona (4-3-3 Formation)
Coach: Hans-Dieter Flick
Barcelona lined up in their traditional 4-3-3 system built around possession football. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong controlled midfield tempo, while Lewandowski led the attack supported by Ferran Torres and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Flick’s tactical philosophy was clear: dominate possession, press aggressively after losing the ball, and stretch Racing’s defense through rapid wing play.
First Half: Barcelona’s Total Control
Barcelona’s dominance was evident from the first minute. The match statistics tell the story:
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Ball Possession: Barcelona 77% – Racing Santander 23%
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Total Passes: Barcelona 728 – Racing 207
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Pass Accuracy: Barcelona 88%
Racing struggled to escape their half as Barcelona’s midfield triangle rotated seamlessly. Pedri’s vision, De Jong’s progression, and Gündogan’s positioning suffocated any attempt of resistance.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half. Lamine Yamal received the ball on the right flank, cut inside confidently, and fired a precise shot past the goalkeeper. At just 18 years old, he once again proved why he is considered one of football’s brightest young talents.
After the goal, Barcelona continued circulating the ball patiently, preventing Racing from gaining momentum. Lewandowski and Cancelo created further chances, but the first half ended 1–0.
Second Half: Racing’s Hope Fades Away
Racing Santander attempted to respond after halftime by pressing higher and committing more players forward. However, Barcelona’s defensive organization remained disciplined.
Second-half match stats highlighted Barcelona’s superiority:
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Total Shots: Barcelona 17 – Racing 6
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Shots on Target: Barcelona 6 – Racing 1
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Corners: Barcelona 10 – Racing 3
Ter Stegen was rarely troubled, facing only one shot on target.
The second goal arrived later in the match. Lewandowski dropped deep, delivered a perfectly weighted through pass, and Ferran Torres calmly slotted the ball into the net. At 2–0, the tie was effectively settled.
Barcelona then managed the game intelligently, keeping possession and denying Racing any chance of a comeback.
Lamine Yamal: The Rising Star
Once again, Lamine Yamal stole the spotlight and earned Man of the Match with a rating of 8.9.
Performance Highlights:
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Completed Dribbles: 4
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Key Passes: 2
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Shots: 3
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Goal: 1
At only 18, Yamal is no longer just a prospect — he is already a decisive match-winner for Barcelona. His dribbling, pace, and fearless approach continue to terrorize defenders.
Barcelona’s Defensive Excellence
While Barcelona’s attack impressed, their defensive structure was equally solid:
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Interceptions: 10
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Tackles Won: 16
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Clearances: 19
Ronald Araújo and Jules Koundé formed a rock-solid partnership, leaving Racing’s attackers with no room to operate. The clean sheet reflected Barcelona’s complete control at both ends of the pitch.
Midfield Masterclass
The heart of Barcelona’s dominance lay in midfield. Pedri orchestrated play with elegance, Frenkie de Jong dictated transitions, and Gündogan provided balance and experience. Together, they ensured Barcelona always had passing options, making Racing’s pressing ineffective.
This midfield trio is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most technically gifted units.
Coaching Impact: Flick’s Tactical Brilliance
Hans-Dieter Flick’s influence on Barcelona is increasingly visible. His high-pressing system, positional rotations, and rapid ball circulation combine German efficiency with Barcelona’s traditional philosophy.
Under Flick, Barcelona look structured, disciplined, and dangerous — clear signs of a team evolving into serious trophy contenders.
Racing Santander’s Respectable Effort
Despite the defeat, Racing Santander deserve praise for reaching this stage of the Copa del Rey. Facing a giant like Barcelona is never easy, yet they showed courage and discipline for long periods. The experience gained from this match will help their future ambitions.
What This Victory Means for Barcelona
With this win, Barcelona advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, keeping hopes alive for domestic silverware. Confidence is growing, key players are in form, and young talents like Yamal continue to flourish.
If Barcelona maintain this momentum, they will be strong contenders not only in Copa del Rey but across all competitions this season.
Conclusion
The Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash was a clear demonstration of footballing superiority. Barcelona’s dominance in possession, tactical intelligence, and individual brilliance — especially from Lamine Yamal — ensured a deserved 2–0 victory.For Racing Santander, the journey ends with pride. For Barcelona, this match sends a powerful message: the new era under Hans-Dieter Flick is taking shape with youth, discipline, and ambition.These Racing Santander vs Barcelona Highlights perfectly show Barcelona’s growing dominance under Flick and the rise of a future superstar in Lamine Yamal.
Read more:
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