Linares 1-2: Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Jutgla take Barça into Copa last 16

It looked like it was going to be a tough night in Andalusia but eventually Barcelona eased into the Copa del Rey last 16 with second half strikes from Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Jutgla.

Xavi’s side did not show up in the first half and Linares Deportivo took advantage with Antonio Luis heading home when left free in the box by Oscar Mingueza.

Riqui Puig fired wildly over at the other end and Jutgla curled an effort wide of the far post, but it wasn’t until the final stages of the first half that Barcelona began to wake from their slumber.

Apart from Dani Alves, who did a solid job on his second Barcelona debut, even as those around him struggled to get in the game.

Xavi took action, hooking Riqui Puig, Ilias Akhomach and the injured Ronald Araujo at the break, with Dembele, Pique and Frenkie de Jong entering the fray.

It led to a better second-half display, mainly thanks to Dembele, who despite the problems with his contract renewal, seemed intent on turning things around after the break.

He levelled with a low effort from distance that crept in at the far post, and he smashed an effort against the bar as Barcelona looked to add more goals.

The second, and winner, came from Jutgla who surged into the box and curled home, to ensure Barcelona have two wins from two games in 2022.

There were scares at the other end, with Neto conceding softly but having his blushes spared by the offside flag, while another effort came back off the woodwork with the goalkeeper scrambling.