Barcelona reach Copa del Rey last 16 with rout of Murcia

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Barcelona swept into the last 16 of the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 win over Real Murcia at the Camp Nou.

La Liga's leaders were already 3-0 up from the first leg, and despite the predicted sweeping changes, Ernesto Valverde's men never looked in any danger of failing to finish the job.

Paca Alcacer headed Barcelona into the lead on 15 minutes, with Gerard Pique making it 2-0 early in the second half before Aleix Vidal, Denis Suarez and substitute Jose Arnaiz completed the rout.

Despite the expected changes from Barcelona manager Valverde, which included a debut for 18-year-old midfielder Oriol Busquets, it was a strong start from the hosts.

Thomas Vermaelen, the former Arsenal defender, headed wide before Barcelona took the lead in the 15th minute.

Vidal flicked the ball across the Real Murcia penalty area for Alcacer to head in.

Gerard Deulofeu stabbed a close-range effort wide before 19-year-old midfielder Carles Alena clipped a shot from the edge of the penalty area over as the home side remained on top before the half-time break.

Suarez set up Deulofeu early in the second half, but the forward saw his shot blocked and then a goal-bound effort come back off the base of the post.

Barcelona, though, did hit the target again in the 56th minute. Vidal crossed into the path of Pique who knocked a low shot into the far corner.

Before Murcia could regroup, they were 3-0 down three minutes later. This time Vidal produced the finish with a diving header from Nelson Semedo's cross.

Suarez latched onto a flick from Sergi Roberto to make it 4-0. before the midfielder set up Arnaiz to drill in a fifth with still 12 minutes left for Murcia to see out.

Deulofeu shot into the side netting as holders Barcelona coasted through to the last 16.