Gerard Deulofeu stars in Barcelona Copa del Rey win

Barcelona eased to a comfortable 3-0 win over Real Murcia in the Copa del Rey, giving them an advantage that will surely prove impossible for the lower league side to overcome.

Ernesto Valverde made a number of changes to the team that saw off Malaga in La Liga at the weekend, with the likes of Paco Alcacer, Lucas Digne, Carles Alena and Thomas Vermaelen coming into the side.

It was Alcacer who made the breakthrough for the Catalans on the stroke of halt time, looping an excellent header into the net after a cross into the box from the right. Barca really hit their stride in the second half, with Gerard Deulofeu and teenager Jose Arnaiz extending their advantage with a quick fire double.

The second leg will be played in over a month’s time, but there is next to no chance of Murcia overturning a three-goal deficit at the home of the Catalan giants. They held their own for much of the match, but Barcelona’s quality ultimately shone through.

As expected, Valverde rotated his squad for the Copa del Rey first leg against Real Murcia, but even still, there was a surprise in the lineup for this match. Vermaelen was handed a spot and the former Arsenal defender looked well short of match sharpness and fitness. So why is Vermaelen still at Barca? Surely it would be best for both parties if he moved on to a new challenge?

The former AC Milan and Everton man’s first senior goal for Barcelona in the win over Malaga on Saturday was mired on controversy, but there was no doubt about his goal or his performance this evening. Deulofeu was the main man for the Catalans and showed to Valverde that he surely warrants a chance on the right side when Barca return to full strength for Liga duty.

Real Murcia - Santome 6, Escribano 5, Orfila 6, Mateos 5, Juanra 5, Oritz 6, Jordan 5, Nadjib 5, Llorente 6, Elady 6, Molinero 5.

Barcelona - Cillessen 6, Semedo 5, Denis 6, Mascherano 5, Deulofeu 7, Alcacer 6, Digne 6, Gomes 5, Vermaelen 5, Alena 6, Arnaiz 7. Subs - Roberto 5, Rakitic 5, Cucurella.

11’ CHANCE FOR THE HOSTS! The flag stayed down with Oritz making a run from deep to get in behind the Barcelona defence, but he puts his shot high of the target when he should have scored.

22’ OFF THE LINE! The opportunity for Barcelona was the result of a dangerous cross into the penalty area, with a Real Murcia defender clearing the shot from Vermaelen, of all people, off the line. So close.

44’ GOAL! Real Murcia 0-1 Barcelona: The opener has come and it has gone the way of Barcelona! That's a great header from Alcacer, getting on the end of a ball from Denis to loop an effort over the Murcia goalkeeper. Exceptional finish.

52’ GOAL! Real Murcia 0-2 Barcelona: That's a wonderful goal from Deulofeu! He's been threatening to do that at the start of the second half, dribbling through the Murcia defence and slotting home under the keeper.

55’ GOAL! Real Murcia 0-3 Barcelona: Well, that's just stunning! Arnaiz has scored a wonderful goal on his full debut for Barcelona. He cut inside off the right and swerved a strike into the far corner of the net.

Gerard Deulofeu scored and assisted in the same game for the first time in a senior match in Spain.