A well-deserved ending for Andres Iniesta!

A starting berth in the Copa Del Rey final was more than a befitting send-off gift from Barcelona to their departing skipper, Andres Iniesta. The Catalans entered a full rampage mode to lay waste and obliterate Sevilla via a 5-0 scoreline which clinched them a fourth successive Copa Del Rey title.

A first-half brace by Luis Suarez and a Lionel Messi strike ensured a three-goal lead for Valverde’s men. Nevertheless, the game was barely over as Andres Iniesta found his way onto the scoresheet seven minutes after the commencement of the second-half. 

The fairy-tale moment was actualized following a beautiful link-up play between the Barca skipper and Lionel Messi, and the former made no error of the final pass to snatch his side’s fourth goal.The 33-year-old midfielder was subsequently substituted two minutes to the end of the night’s encounter and was met with a resounding standing ovation by the masses inside the Wanda Metroplitano Stadium. 

Tributes have also been pouring in on social media for the veteran midfielder who has been a backbone to the success enjoyed by Barcelona for close to two decades. Prior to Iniesta’s eviction, Philippe Coutinho - the man dubbed as his replacement - delivered the final blow from the penalty spot in what had been a thorough demolishing exercise for Barcelona.