Iniesta strike lights up Barcelona cup win
Andres Iniesta celebrated being named on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award with a glorious goal for Barcelona as the holders won 3-0 at Alaves in a King's Cup last-32 first leg on Tuesday.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j65qVfSjpsCxcp53b6y2QS.jpg)
The Spain playmaker, who struck the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, had limited space on the edge of the area when he curled a delicate shot into the top corner to double Barca's lead after 50 minutes.
Alaves reached the final of the UEFA Cup in 2001 and now play their football in the third tier of Spanish football but battled hard against a Barca side who were without the rested Lionel Messi.
They faded, however, after Iniesta fed David Villa to slam a shot in off the crossbar just before half-time.
Alaves have a mountain to climb if they are to come back in next month's second leg at the Nou Camp, particularly after Cesc Fabregas headed a third for the unbeaten La Liga leaders at the end.
Earlier, Valencia ran out 2-0 winners over another Segunda B side Llagostera thanks to a brace of set-piece goals on a rain-lashed artificial pitch.
The visitors struggled until Jonas nodded the opener after a well-worked free-kick just before the break. Nelson Valdez headed the second from a corner.
The hosts had the chance to give themselves a lifeline for the return leg at the Mestalla with a penalty near the end but Marc Sellares fired his spot-kick against the post.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
The second legs are scheduled for November 28.
Real Madrid visit Alcoyano on Wednesday when La Liga co-leaders Atletico Madrid are away to Jaen.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack