Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho scores first Barcelona goal in Copa del Rey win at Valencia
Valencia 0-2 Barcelona (0-3 agg)
• Brazilian off the mark as Barça set up final against Sevilla

Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal for Barcelona as they completed victory over Valencia in their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday.

The former Liverpool forward stretched at the far post to meet a cross from another one-time Anfield favourite, Luis Suárez, and directed the ball across goal and into the left corner.

It gave Barcelona a 50th-minute lead on the night in the second leg at the Mestalla and a 2-0 aggregate advantage. Coutinho left Liverpool to join Barcelona last month in a deal worth £142m.

Barcelona made sure of a place in the final when Ivan Rakitic sealed a 2-0 victory on the night and 3-0 overall success.

He struck after more good work from Suárez, who won possession midway through the Valencia half and threaded a pass to Rakitic on the edge of the penalty area. After a couple of strides forward into the penalty area, the Croat struck a powerful low shot into the bottom left corner.

Barcelona will face Sevilla in the final on 21 April after Vincenzo Montella’s side completed a 3-1 aggregate win against Leganés.