Andres Iniesta scored once and provided two assists to help Barcelona romp to a 4-0 rout of third-tier Huesca in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 12th minute when he struck a free-kick into the top left corner beyond Huesca goalkeeper Daniel Jimenez’s reach.
Iniesta, who returned from an injury sustained in his team’s 3-1 loss at Real Madrid on Oct. 25, netted four minutes later after he latched onto Rakitic’s pass.
Photo: EPA
“We’re confident in what we do and I think this will take us closer to success,” Iniesta said.
“Our effectiveness and the way we played this game made us feel quite relaxed,” he said. “What’s important is that the players who are in the squad are well-equipped to play because titles aren’t won by just five or six, but by a whole team.”
Barcelona reserve goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made an athletic save from Tyronne del Pino in the 32nd and looked solid throughout the match.
Pedro Rodriguez controlled Iniesta’s pass, ran forward and unleashed a powerful shot inside the near post in the 39th before Rafinha deflected his shot off Alex Garcia into goal for Barcelona’s fourth in the 72nd.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid swept to a 3-0 victory over third-tier L’Hospitalet.
France midfielder Antoine Griezmann broke the deadlock in the 67th minute of the first leg match when he headed home defender Jesus Gamez’s cross from the right.
Gabriel Fernandez converted a penalty in the 81st after Atletico’s attacking midfielder Alessio Cerci was held by Agustin Fernandez as he advanced in the area.
Cristian Rodriguez struck the third from outside the area in the second minute of stoppage time.
Malaga drew 1-1 with Deportivo La Coruna. Ignacio Camacho scored the opener for Malaga in the 11th from an assist by Luis Alberto and Deportivo forward Jose Verdu equalized in the 68th.
Also, Granada beat Andalusian rival Cordoba 1-0 thanks to a goal by Colombian forward Jhon Cordoba in the 24th.
In another match, Sevilla routed Sabadell 5-1 with striker Iago Aspas scoring a four-minute hat-trick.
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