As Bangla Cricket Live audiences keep an eye on European football, Barcelona secured a composed 2-0 away win over Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey round of 16. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 66th minute when Fermin delivered a perfectly weighted through ball from midfield, allowing Ferran Torres to round the goalkeeper and finish into an empty net with calm precision.
Deep into stoppage time, the spotlight shifted to 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal. After bursting down the right flank, he squared the ball into the box, where a quick exchange involving Lewandowski and Raphinha set up Yamal to tap in at the far post, sealing the result and underlining Barcelona’s growing confidence.
The victory extended Barcelona’s remarkable winning streak to 11 consecutive matches across all competitions, equaling the second-longest run in club history. Just days earlier, their eternal rivals Real Madrid suffered a shock Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of Albacete, a Segunda Division side sitting near the bottom of the table. The contrast between the two giants could hardly be starker.
Barcelona’s progress was not without tension. Racing Santander defended stubbornly, forcing patience until the second half. The match swung on fine margins when Santander’s Lozano had two goals ruled out for offside in the 77th and 86th minutes. In stoppage time, he wasted a golden one-on-one chance by choosing to shoot instead of squaring to a better-positioned teammate, only to be denied by goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Moments later, Yamal’s goal shut the door for good.
Control of possession was clear, yet it was Fermin’s introduction that truly unlocked the contest. His defense-splitting pass acted like a surgeon’s scalpel, slicing open the back line and changing the rhythm of the game. This run of 11 straight wins is Barcelona’s longest since the Luis Enrique era in 2015, matching historic streaks from 2008, 1956, and 1927, and trailing only the 18-game run under Rijkaard.
Notably, club data shows that in the previous three seasons where Barcelona reached 11 consecutive wins, the campaign ended with Champions League glory. Such numbers naturally fuel optimism. Since November 2025, the team has combined balance in attack and defense across La Liga, Europe, and the cup, reflecting the maturity brought under Flick’s guidance.
Yamal’s performance symbolized this evolution. He completed seven dribbles, created six key passes, and despite losing possession frequently, remained a constant threat. Alongside him, youngsters like Fermin and Gavi continue to inject energy, highlighting a development-first philosophy shaped by financial reality.
Meanwhile, chaos reigns in Madrid. Within three days, Real Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final and then suffered what local media called a humiliating defeat to Albacete. Coming immediately after a coaching change, the loss exposed fatigue, tactical confusion, and a worrying lack of fight. For a club built on winning everything, the situation is hard to swallow.
As Bangla Cricket Live followers reflect on the wider picture, Barcelona’s stability and clear direction stand in sharp contrast to Madrid’s imbalance. While Barcelona refine a cohesive system, Real Madrid search for answers in midfield, lacking the rhythm once provided by Kroos and Modric. With momentum clearly on one side, the season’s trajectory is beginning to take shape.