Arda Turan was the star of the show with three fine goals, while the ex-Valencia man broke his duck in a comprehensive victory for the home team
Paco Alcacer ended his wait for a competitive goal in Barcelona colours as the holders ran out 7-0 winners over Hercules in the Copa del Rey, with Arda Turan hitting a hat-trick.
The Spain international forward endured 10 scoreless appearances on the back of his August switch from Valencia, but got in on the act as Luis Enrique’s men ensured there was no repeat of their first-leg scare to book a place in the last 16.
The holders fell behind in a 1-1 draw with their third-tier opponents in last month’s initial match and Luis Enrique plumped for a more experienced line-up this time around, boasting all six of his major signings for this season.
One of those, Lucas Digne, settled a slightly edgy Camp Nou eight minutes before half-time and Ivan Rakitic doubled the lead at the interval with a penalty.
Any doubts that the game was over as a contest were extinguished as Rafinha and Arda struck inside the opening 10 minutes of the second period.
But the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Alcacer, who headed home amid suspicions of offside to go into the mid-season break with a considerable weight off his shoulders, while a late salvo ensured Arda departed with the matchball.
Rakitic, starting in midfield after being an unused substitute for Barcelona’s previous two LaLiga matches, floated a pass into the path of Digne for the full-back to fire over in the fourth minute.
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