• BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 9 – The German goalkeeper had a great game, particularly making some strong punches to clear. His highlight was saving the Sevilla penalty after guessing the right way and denying Ocampos. Getty
    BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 9 – The German goalkeeper had a great game, particularly making some strong punches to clear. His highlight was saving the Sevilla penalty after guessing the right way and denying Ocampos. Getty
  • Sergino Dest 6 – The wing-back made some very good runs down the right-hand side and provided a number of decent crosses, though he could have been more accurate with his final ball. EPA
    Sergino Dest 6 – The wing-back made some very good runs down the right-hand side and provided a number of decent crosses, though he could have been more accurate with his final ball. EPA
  • Gerard Pique 8 - Barcelona’s saviour to send the game to extra time in the 93rd minute, Pique got on the end of a Griezmann cross to level the tie at the death. Until then, he’d had a quiet but effective game at the game. AFP
    Gerard Pique 8 - Barcelona’s saviour to send the game to extra time in the 93rd minute, Pique got on the end of a Griezmann cross to level the tie at the death. Until then, he’d had a quiet but effective game at the game. AFP
  • Clement Lenglet 6 – Consistent if not spectacular, Lenglet made a number of solid tackles and timely clearances. Getty
    Clement Lenglet 6 – Consistent if not spectacular, Lenglet made a number of solid tackles and timely clearances. Getty
  • Oscar Mingueza 6 – The young defender was having a good game until he gave away a penalty, bringing down Ocampos. Koeman decided to take him off, but Mingueza can be pleased with most aspects of his performance. Reuters
    Oscar Mingueza 6 – The young defender was having a good game until he gave away a penalty, bringing down Ocampos. Koeman decided to take him off, but Mingueza can be pleased with most aspects of his performance. Reuters
  • Jordi Alba 9 - A brilliant game from the Spaniard who made a number of good runs along the left, whipping in crosses high and low. He nearly got himself a goal, but hit the bar with a shot that would have been goal of the tournament had it gone in. AFP
    Jordi Alba 9 - A brilliant game from the Spaniard who made a number of good runs along the left, whipping in crosses high and low. He nearly got himself a goal, but hit the bar with a shot that would have been goal of the tournament had it gone in. AFP
  • Pedri 6 - The midfielder performed well, particularly when running at the Sevilla defence with the ball at his feet. However, at times, he was poor at winning back the ball, and he gave away a few fouls. AFP
    Pedri 6 - The midfielder performed well, particularly when running at the Sevilla defence with the ball at his feet. However, at times, he was poor at winning back the ball, and he gave away a few fouls. AFP
  • Sergio Busquets 6 – Like Pedri, Busquets put in a good shift protecting the back line. He did, however, give the ball away cheaply at times. Getty
    Sergio Busquets 6 – Like Pedri, Busquets put in a good shift protecting the back line. He did, however, give the ball away cheaply at times. Getty
  • Frenkie De Jong – 7 - The Dutchman fed some very impressive passes and through balls to Messi and Dembele. He also showed good battling qualities, though he went missing for short spells. AFP
    Frenkie De Jong – 7 - The Dutchman fed some very impressive passes and through balls to Messi and Dembele. He also showed good battling qualities, though he went missing for short spells. AFP
  • Lionel Messi 8 – The Argentine led by example with his quick feet and tantalising skill. He had some good chances to score but maybe took too many touches at times. Reuters
    Lionel Messi 8 – The Argentine led by example with his quick feet and tantalising skill. He had some good chances to score but maybe took too many touches at times. Reuters
  • Ousmane Dembele 9 – He made an impressive start to the game by scoring a spectacular opener from outside of the box into the top corner. He also supplied a number of good crosses and used his pace well to create chances. AP
    Ousmane Dembele 9 – He made an impressive start to the game by scoring a spectacular opener from outside of the box into the top corner. He also supplied a number of good crosses and used his pace well to create chances. AP
  • SUBS: Antoine Griezmann 7- The Frenchman replaced Dest and ultimately provided a game-changing cross that Pique headed home to take the game to extra time. Getty
    SUBS: Antoine Griezmann 7- The Frenchman replaced Dest and ultimately provided a game-changing cross that Pique headed home to take the game to extra time. Getty
  • Junior Firpo 6 – The youngster replaced Mingueza and didn’t make much of an impact, but though he kept tight to his man. AFP
    Junior Firpo 6 – The youngster replaced Mingueza and didn’t make much of an impact, but though he kept tight to his man. AFP
  • Ilaix Moriba 5- Moriba’s highlight was a weak header that ended up in the opposition keepers’ hands. EPA
    Ilaix Moriba 5- Moriba’s highlight was a weak header that ended up in the opposition keepers’ hands. EPA
  • Martin Braithwaite 8 - Coming on as a substitute before extra-time, he made little impact in the 90 minutes but then came up with the third goal, nutmegging the goalkeeper in the process. AFP
    Martin Braithwaite 8 - Coming on as a substitute before extra-time, he made little impact in the 90 minutes but then came up with the third goal, nutmegging the goalkeeper in the process. AFP
  • Francisco Trincao 5 - The Portuguese attacker didn’t create much or add much to the game, but he did use skill at times to beat his man successfully. Getty
    Francisco Trincao 5 - The Portuguese attacker didn’t create much or add much to the game, but he did use skill at times to beat his man successfully. Getty
  • SEVILLA RATINGS: Tomas Vaclik 5 – Despite making some good saves he let in some very stoppable goals; his reactions were slow for the first and he was nutmegged for the third. Probably a night to forget for him. EPA
    SEVILLA RATINGS: Tomas Vaclik 5 – Despite making some good saves he let in some very stoppable goals; his reactions were slow for the first and he was nutmegged for the third. Probably a night to forget for him. EPA
  • Aleix Vidal 7 - Before coming off injured, Vidal was probably Sevilla’s best player, adding pace, an attacking sense and accurate passes. It was a real blow for Sevilla when he had to go off. EPA
    Aleix Vidal 7 - Before coming off injured, Vidal was probably Sevilla’s best player, adding pace, an attacking sense and accurate passes. It was a real blow for Sevilla when he had to go off. EPA
  • Jules Kounde 5 – The defender was often found one step behind Barcelona’s attackers as they dominated the play and turned Sevilla’s defensive zone into their playground. He really needed to stay tighter to his man. AFP
    Jules Kounde 5 – The defender was often found one step behind Barcelona’s attackers as they dominated the play and turned Sevilla’s defensive zone into their playground. He really needed to stay tighter to his man. AFP
  • Diego Carlos 6 – Despite a shaky first-half performance he stepped up in the second half and made up for his mistakes, clearing many incoming balls. He stopped a lot of the opposition attacks but in the end, Barca’s forwards were too much for him. EPA
    Diego Carlos 6 – Despite a shaky first-half performance he stepped up in the second half and made up for his mistakes, clearing many incoming balls. He stopped a lot of the opposition attacks but in the end, Barca’s forwards were too much for him. EPA
  • Marcos Acuna 7 – Another one of Sevilla’s top performers taken off, the left-back marshalled Dest well in the first half, often stopping his crosses. EPA
    Marcos Acuna 7 – Another one of Sevilla’s top performers taken off, the left-back marshalled Dest well in the first half, often stopping his crosses. EPA
  • Fernando 4 – A disastrous performance from the Brazilian who was sent off for two yellow-card offences, one for a foul and another for dissent. EPA
    Fernando 4 – A disastrous performance from the Brazilian who was sent off for two yellow-card offences, one for a foul and another for dissent. EPA
  • Joan Jordan 5- In the first half, he sat off Dembele too much and allowed him to shoot and score. He did have a chance to make amends with a shot, but it went off target. He was later brought off for Munir. Getty
    Joan Jordan 5- In the first half, he sat off Dembele too much and allowed him to shoot and score. He did have a chance to make amends with a shot, but it went off target. He was later brought off for Munir. Getty
  • Oliver Torres 5 – The midfielder didn’t add much to the game apart from a few passes and needless fouls. Overall, he didn’t produce anything spectacular. AFP
    Oliver Torres 5 – The midfielder didn’t add much to the game apart from a few passes and needless fouls. Overall, he didn’t produce anything spectacular. AFP
  • Suso 5 - The normally skilful attacker was very quiet. He did, however, show flashes of his talent with good footwork on the wing. Getty
    Suso 5 - The normally skilful attacker was very quiet. He did, however, show flashes of his talent with good footwork on the wing. Getty
  • Youssef En Nesyri 6- A slow first half but as the game went on, he came into his own and created a few chances. His best moment was an excellent pass to Ocampos, which then led to a penalty. Reuters
    Youssef En Nesyri 6- A slow first half but as the game went on, he came into his own and created a few chances. His best moment was an excellent pass to Ocampos, which then led to a penalty. Reuters
  • Luuk De Jong 5 – The striker fluffed a few chances but ultimately suffered from a lack of service. Getty
    Luuk De Jong 5 – The striker fluffed a few chances but ultimately suffered from a lack of service. Getty
  • SUBS: Lucas Ocampos 5 – The attacker had the chance to secure the tie for Sevilla from the spot, but his penalty was well saved by Ter Stegen. AFP
    SUBS: Lucas Ocampos 5 – The attacker had the chance to secure the tie for Sevilla from the spot, but his penalty was well saved by Ter Stegen. AFP
  • Ivan Rakitic 5 - The former Barcelona man was unable to hurt his former side after coming on as a sub. He created very little. Reuters
    Ivan Rakitic 5 - The former Barcelona man was unable to hurt his former side after coming on as a sub. He created very little. Reuters
  • Jesus Navas 6 – Acting as Vidal’s replacement, he did keep the right-back position secure and didn’t allow many attacks along that side of the pitch, but he didn’t bring Vidal’s flair. Reuters
    Jesus Navas 6 – Acting as Vidal’s replacement, he did keep the right-back position secure and didn’t allow many attacks along that side of the pitch, but he didn’t bring Vidal’s flair. Reuters
  • Karim Rekik 6 – A fairly poor performance for Rekik who couldn’t get involved and, though he contributed a few good headers, he was guilty of backing off his men. Reuters
    Karim Rekik 6 – A fairly poor performance for Rekik who couldn’t get involved and, though he contributed a few good headers, he was guilty of backing off his men. Reuters
  • Papu Gomez 6 – After coming on for Suso he offered a good press, especially when Lenglet was in possession, but he didn’t create many opportunities and found himself dropping deeper to help out his central midfield and defence. EPA
    Papu Gomez 6 – After coming on for Suso he offered a good press, especially when Lenglet was in possession, but he didn’t create many opportunities and found himself dropping deeper to help out his central midfield and defence. EPA
  • Munir El Haddadi 5 - This late sub made little impact in the last 15 minutes, he gave Sevilla a bit of an attacking threat, but the Barcelona defence handled him well. EPA
    Munir El Haddadi 5 - This late sub made little impact in the last 15 minutes, he gave Sevilla a bit of an attacking threat, but the Barcelona defence handled him well. EPA

Barcelona v Sevilla player ratings: Stunning fightback from Messi and Dembele; heartache for Fernando and Rakitic


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Manager Ronald Koeman praised Barcelona's never-say-die attitude after they reached the Copa del Rey final with a 3-0 extra time win over Sevilla to pull off the latest in a series of great turnarounds in the competition.

Barca lost the first leg 2-0 but Ousmane Dembele's thumping early strike put them ahead at the Camp Nou before Gerard Pique headed home in added time to level the tie, after Sevilla's Lucas Ocampos had missed a penalty.

Martin Braithwaite's extra-time header completed a 3-2 aggregate win and continued a remarkable journey in this year's Copa, in which Barca needed extra time to knock out third division Cornella 2-0 and came from behind to beat second division Rayo Vallecano 2-1.

They were 2-0 down at Granada until the 88th minute in the quarter-finals but levelled with two late goals before winning 5-3 after extra time.

"We always believed, we have never thrown this cup away," Koeman said.

"It's a question of mentality, and as a coach I can't ask for any more from my team than what I saw tonight. We kept on fighting in extra time, it was incredible. I'm very satisfied with how hard we worked tonight. We deserved the win.

"I'm very proud. It's an important moment for the team and for me. Because if you win a game like this you are seen as a good coach but if you lose you are seen as very bad.

"This team is very strong physically and mentally. We can't always play great football but if you have the ball you can always create opportunities. What we did tonight was something extraordinary."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Which products are to be taxed?

To be taxed:

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category

Not taxed

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules

The biog

Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.

Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.

Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.

Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE