After a thrilling 3-2 victory against fourth-tier Barbastro on Sunday, Barcelona advanced to the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey.
Adria de Mesa scored a goal to make it 1-1 for the determined hosts, but the record-setting 31-time champions seized a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Fermin Lopez and Raphinha.
Spanish champions substitute Robert Lewandowski scored from the penalty spot, but hosts Marc Prat scored a last-ditch penalty to keep them in the game.
This kind of game always ends up being tricky, as Barça coach Xavi told Movistar.
“It’s a positive result, our play was positive in many moments, and we’re in the last 16.”
Lopez was in the right place at the right time to tuck away Raphinha’s low cut-back after Frenkie de Jong chipped the ball over the top. This gave Barcelona the lead early on.
The second goal, which Joao Felix had headed in from a pass by Lopez, was disallowed due to offside, leaving him furious.
The forward was not in an unlawful position, according to replays, but video reviews are not used in the Copa del Rey until the final 16.
“I don’t understand why there isn’t VAR in this competition, even though these are lower level grounds,” Xavi said.
As anticipated at the 5,000-seater stadium, the visitors dominated, with goalkeeper Arnau Fabrega making saves from Felix and Raphinha’s free-kicks.
After a long, twisting cross from teenage defender Hector Fort found Raphinha at the back post early in the second half, the Catalans increased their advantage.
Shortly before the hour mark, Barbastro was brought back into the game by De Mesa, a former Barça youth player. During a corner scramble, De Mesa prodded the ball in from close range.
Vitor Roque, an 18-year-old Brazilian striker who had just signed for Athletico Paranaense, and Inigo Martinez, a defender, were substituted on by Xavi in response.
The central defender from Basque country barely made it through the first half before leaving the field with a limp, having just overcome a hamstring injury.
Amazingly, Barbastro had a golden opportunity to tie the game, but Jaime Ara missed the goal with a heavy header despite being in a great position to score.
On the other side, Ferran Torres was equally at fault for missing a golden opportunity to put his team back ahead, but Barbastro gave Lewandowski the chance to score from the penalty spot.
After taking a touch of the Polish forward’s header, Javi Lopez sent the goalie stumbling, and the ball rolled softly into the opposite corner.
In the dying seconds of regulation time, Marc Prat scored a penalty after Lopez had fouled him, but Barbastro was unable to add another goal to send the game into overtime.
“We have to work on our goal-keeping,” Lopez told Movistar, referring to the team’s current woes.
After Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid advanced on Saturday, Barcelona will join them in the following round.
Due to a lack of floodlights, Sunday’s match between Unionistas de Salamanca and Villarreal was canceled just before extra time began.
The result was 1-1 at the end of the first half of the round of 32 match in front of around 6,000 spectators, after the third-tier team had pulled one back in the closing moments against their La Liga opponents. Monday at 15:30 GMT, play will resume.
Among the few surprises of the round, Las Palmas of La Liga lost 2-0 to Canary Island rivals Tenerife, who play in the second tier.
Along with Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna, Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Valencia, and Celta Vigo, Sevilla advanced with a 2-1 victory against Racing Ferrol of the second tier, thanks to a goal from Juanlu Sanchez in the 94th minute.
Monday at 17:30 GMT is the time of the last 16 draw.