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.
Andres Iniesta’s Copa del Rey Final contribution
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 21, 2018
102 touches
Completed 74 of 78 passes
3 shots, 1 on target, 1 goal
Playing in 7th final, 5th win pic.twitter.com/vXubi8q86E
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.
Barcelona conquers their record 30th Spanish Cup final, making it four in a row by a single club for the first time in 85 years! Messi scores in his fifth final, equalling Zarra’s mark. Iniesta has a perfect sending off with a true masterclass on pitch.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) April 21, 2018
Iniesta off. He's in tears. Applause from absolutely everybody in the stadium. Goosebumps.
— AS English (@English_AS) April 21, 2018
That was an emotional substitution. Iniesta's nearly in tears as he comes off. Sevilla fans give him a standing ovation. Barça fans chant INIESTA INIESTA.
— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) April 21, 2018
Goosebumps.
Andres Iniesta exits the game.
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 21, 2018
Both Sevilla and Barça fans give him a standing ovation chanting "INIESTAAAAAAA."
Andres sits on the bench, tears under his eyes.
This is the beautiful game. pic.twitter.com/DR2EVCrUYJ
The entire stadium stands to salute Iniesta. This is football, he is football.
— TalkFCB (@FCBNewsRoom) April 21, 2018