Three things you might have missed from CD Guadalajara vs Barcelona

Barcelona's Copa del Rey campaign rarely unfolds without complications, and their recent match against CD Guadalajara was no exception. While Hansi Flick's squad ultimately secured a victory, the game was a physical and emotionally charged battle that demanded resilience beyond pure skill. The final score suggests a comfortable win, but Barcelona had to fight hard for their place in the next round against a determined Guadalajara side aiming to create a memorable upset.

Andreas Christensen's late goal broke a tense deadlock, and Marcus Rashford added a second to seal the win. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. Barcelona left the match knowing the outcome could easily have been different. Beyond the goals, several noteworthy moments went largely unnoticed.

Chaos and Queues: Fans Brave the Elements

Barcelona's visit was a major event for Guadalajara, with locals treating it as a historic sporting occasion. To accommodate the huge demand, the club added three temporary stands, increasing the Pedro Escartín stadium's capacity to 8,500. Although every ticket was sold, the lack of assigned seating led to significant logistical problems.

Fans started queuing as early as 3 PM, enduring hours of rain like concertgoers awaiting entry. Frustration grew when the match was delayed by 30 minutes due to pending Civil Protection permits needed to open the additional stands. Police concerns about potential crowd surges meant gates remained closed until 8:30 PM, and only one of the temporary stands was eventually approved. Consequently, around 500 ticket holders were denied entry.

Yamal Faces Hostile Madridista Atmosphere

The proximity of Guadalajara to Madrid meant a strong contingent of Real Madrid fans were present, and their influence was evident. Lamine Yamal became a particular target, with whistles greeting his every touch, echoing the reception he has previously received at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Chants typically heard at Real Madrid's home stadium reverberated through the stands. Initially, fans directed shouts of "Corruption in the Federation" at Spanish football's governing body, followed by cries of "Tebas go now" aimed at La Liga's president. The atmosphere intensified when supporters broke into the familiar anthem "How am I not going to love you," a chant strongly associated with Real Madrid.

Yamal endured a challenging night, playing the entire 90 minutes in freezing conditions. He was repeatedly fouled and struggled to make his usual decisive impact. Late in the second half, his frustration was visible as he angrily threw his gloves to the ground after another attack broke down.

Vinicius Lookalike Creates a Stir

While Barcelona battled on the pitch, an unexpected sideshow unfolded in the stands. With Real Madrid scheduled to play Talavera later in the day, many expected Vinicius Jr. to be focused on his own match. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. his apparent presence at the Pedro Escartín caused considerable excitement – until it was revealed to be Ricardo Rincon, a well-known Vinicius lookalike.

Rincon, wearing a CD Guadalajara shirt, sat with friends near the press area and happily posed for photos, enjoying the attention.

Ultimately, Barcelona progressed, but their Copa del Rey victory was far from routine. The match served as a reminder that in this competition, reputation means little once the game begins.