Barcelona got the job done in the Copa del Rey, but it was not smooth. On a cold Tuesday night in Guadalajara, a third-division club pushed the giants to the edge before two late goals sealed a 2-0 win for the defending La Liga side. The Round of 32 tie, played at the compact Pedro Escartín Stadium near Madrid, delivered nerves, noise, and a reminder that cup football rarely follows a script.

Barcelona advance, but the upset threat felt real

The scoreboard says routine: Guadalajara 0-2 Barcelona. The game was anything but. Hansi Flick rested several regular starters to keep legs fresh for the weekend’s La Liga clash with Villarreal, a clear sign that rotation was a priority. Even with the ball for long stretches, Barça struggled to create clean chances. The third-tier hosts were brave, organized, and had moments that could have changed the night.

It took until the 76th minute for the breakthrough. Before that, tension built in the stands and on the pitch. Guadalajara had a couple of looks that stirred the crowd, and Barcelona’s attacks often ended one pass short.

“Cup nights don’t care about budgets — you have to win the fights first.”

Kickoff chaos at Pedro Escartín: delay and long lines

The night started with confusion. Local authorities did not allow fans to access a new temporary grandstand that had increased the stadium’s capacity from roughly 6,000 to about 8,000. That led to long lines outside and a 30-minute delay to kickoff while police assessed the situation. Eventually, entry was allowed and the stands filled.

Delays like this can rattle players, especially a rotated team on the road. The atmosphere flipped fast once the gates opened. Guadalajara’s fans created a tight, loud setting that felt bigger than the numbers. It was a cup energy — and it helped the underdogs believe.

Christensen’s header breaks the deadlock

When the goal finally came, it was a defender’s relief. Andreas Christensen rose to meet a teasing cross from Frenkie de Jong in the 76th minute. His header, helped by a deflection off a defender, slipped beyond the goalkeeper for 0-1. It was not pretty. It did not need to be. It was the exact kind of goal that survives these nights: direct, decisive, and earned after a long slog.

De Jong’s service mattered. The midfielder, so often the team’s metronome, picked the moment and the flight. In a game where Barcelona’s patterns often stalled, a single quality cross opened the door.

“Frenkie’s cross was the difference — one pass with purpose after 75 minutes of patience.”

Rashford seals it at 90′: a breakaway to breathe

Guadalajara pushed forward after conceding, and space finally appeared. In the 90th minute, Marcus Rashford burst through on a break and finished to settle the tie. It was classic late-round cup football: the underdog chasing an equalizer, the favorite striking on the counter. The second goal closed the door and spared Barcelona a nervy finish or extra time amid a heavy winter schedule.

For Rashford, it was a sharp reminder of what direct pace gives a rotating side: a release valve when the game opens up, and a simple route to a clincher.

Ter Stegen returns after 212 days

There was another headline wrapped inside the win. Marc-André ter Stegen started in goal for the first time in 212 days after back surgery. For a player of his profile, returning in a high-risk cup tie away from home is a real test. He met it calmly. His presence, positioning, and voice were clear. He did not need to make a string of highlight saves, but his control steadied a defense that could have wobbled.

For Barcelona’s season, this matters. The team is built from the back when it is at its best. Having Ter Stegen back changes the ceiling in league and cup.

“Ter Stegen back = belief back. That’s the win inside the win tonight.”

Flick’s rotation, the referee, and what comes next

Hansi Flick balanced risk and reward. He rotated to protect core players before Villarreal, yet he kept enough leaders on the field to manage tricky moments. That choice was validated, even if it took late goals to underline the gap in quality.

Referee César Soto Grado kept control on a tense night that could have boiled over after the delay. The game flowed, tackles were firm, and the contest stayed fair. For a cup tie with a big club in a small ground, that is no small note.

Barcelona move into the Round of 16 draw with lessons: respect every opponent, be patient, and finish your chances. The performance was not flashy, but it was professional, and it keeps the season’s multi-front chase intact.

Guadalajara’s brave effort and a proud night for the city

For Guadalajara, the dream of an upset fell short, but the night still carried pride. The club pushed a giant and kept hope alive deep into the second half. The expanded Pedro Escartín, with that temporary grandstand finally open, turned into a stage the city will remember. In the Copa del Rey, these nights matter as much as the final score. They build identity, fans, and belief.

Copa del Rey roundup: upsets and late winners

Elsewhere, the magic of the cup showed up in full. Second-division Deportivo La Coruña stunned top-flight Mallorca 1-0. Real Sociedad needed a late winner to beat Eldense 2-1. Valencia were solid in a 2-0 victory over Sporting Gijón. The theme across the bracket: no easy outs.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid visit third-division Talavera, while Atlético Madrid face Atlético Baleares from the fourth tier. The big clubs advance more often than not, but this round has already reminded everyone that ambition lives everywhere.

Match facts and timeline

• Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
• Kickoff: ~20:30 GMT (after a 30-minute delay)
• Venue: Pedro Escartín Stadium, Guadalajara (near Madrid) — capacity expanded to ~8,000 with a temporary stand
• Referee: César Soto Grado
• Score: Deportivo Guadalajara 0-2 Barcelona
• Scorers: Andreas Christensen 76′ (header via Frenkie de Jong cross, deflected), Marcus Rashford 90′ (breakaway)

Bottom line

Barcelona survived a proper cup test. They managed the chaos of a delayed kickoff, leaned on a set-piece moment, and finished the job late. Ter Stegen’s return was a bright light, Rashford delivered the knockout, and Flick’s rotation kept the bigger picture in focus. It was not perfect, but in the Copa del Rey, two sure truths apply: stay calm and advance. Barcelona did both.