Fabregas and Messi shine for Barcelona, Real Sociedad beat Mallorca

Jan 4, 2012, 22:57 GMT

Madrid - Barcelona virtually guaranteed their place in the quarter-finals of the Spanish King's Cup on Wednesday by thrashing hapless Osasuna 4-0 in front of a delighted Camp Nou.

Cesc Fabregas struck twice early on, Lionel Messi came off the bench in the second half and completed the rout with a late brace. All four goals were set up by veteran playmaker Xavi.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola again started with his revolutionary 3-7-0 formation, without strikers but with Fabregas coming forward as a 'false' centre-forward.

The tactic confused Osasuna and paid handsome dividends. Fabregas made it 1-0 in the 14th minute after being perfectly set up down the left by Xavi.

Just five minutes later, Xavi again played Fabregas through, and the former Arsenal captain made it 2-0 with an exquisite, breath-taking chip.

Barca would have scored more goals had it not been for several sharp saves from Osasuna keeper Asier Riesco.

However, there was nothing Riesco could do in the 73rd minute when Messi headed in a precise centre from Xavi. In injury-time Messi - who on Monday will receive his third straight FIFA World Player award - completed the scoring with a low left-foot drive.

The second leg will be played in Pamplona on January 11.

Earlier on Wednesday, Real Sociedad left themselves well placed by beating Mallorca 2-0 at home, on goals from Mikel Aranburu and Imanol Agirretxe.

On Tuesday, holders Real Madrid came from behind to beat Malaga 3-2 at home. Racing Santander, for their part, were beaten 2-0 by third division Mirandes, Levante crashed 2-1 at third division Alcorcon, and Athletic Bilbao could only manage a 0-0 draw at Albacete.

The third round first leg clashes will finish on Thursday, with Espanyol away to second division Cordoba and Valencia at home to Sevilla.