:Forward Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick in the first 30 minutes to lead an imperious Barcelona to a 5-0 rout of Valencia in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Thursday.
Playing in his home town against his childhood club, Torres scored from a quick counter-attack in the second minute and extended the lead in the 17th when he fired home a rebound from a Lamine Yamal strike that ricocheted off the post.
Fermin Lopez scored the third in another counter five minutes later and Torres gave Barca a four-goal lead on the half-hour mark with a strike from the edge of the box.
The visitors took their foot off the gas after the break but Yamal added a fifth goal in the 59nd minute with help from Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, who made a howler when Yamal’s shot deflected off his gloves and into the net.
Barcelona joined Real Madrid, Atletico and Real Sociedad in the semi-finals, with the draw set to take place on Wednesday.
It was Barcelona’s second thrashing of Valencia in less than two weeks, after a 7-1 victory in LaLiga against opponents who are second-bottom of the standings and struggling to avoid relegation.
“I really wish Valencia the best of luck because outside the pitch I’m just another fan,” Torres told TVE after deciding not to celebrate any of his goals out of respect.
“It’s hard to see the club of your childhood, the club of your life suffer like this… seeing how they are going through such a hard time.”
Barcelona extended their unbeaten run to 10 games after another brilliant attacking performance.
Alejandro Balde started the show by helping Torres beat Valencia’s high defensive line with a long pass that he took in his stride before netting a tidy finish.
Torres struck again before Lopez added the third, ghosting behind the line from a pass by Pedri to score.
Pedri threaded a long ball to Raphinha who slipped the ball through for Torres to claim the fourth and Yamal completed the rout.
