Griezmann twice inspires Barca cup comeback against Granada
Antoine Griezmann led Barcelona backside from the brink on Wednesday as being the Catalans beat Granada 5-3 after extra-time to win a riveting cup tie and reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Barca looked collection to crash out at Los Carmenes when Granada led 2-0 with two minutes of usual time remaining but Griezmann scored one goal found in the 88th minute and create Jordi Alba for a dramatic equaliser found in the 92nd.
Griezmann headed his workforce in the front in extra-time only for Granada's Fede Vico to create it 3-3 with a penalty.
But Frenkie de Jong's surface finish and a thumping volley from Alba, also setup by Griezmann, sent a relieved Barcelona through.
"It was a brilliant, beautiful cup tie," explained Griezmann.
Ronald Koeman admitted the Copa del Rey is his team's "shortest path" to a trophy this year and with Atletico Madrid 10 points clear found in La Liga and Paris Saint-Germain to come in the Champions Little league, it may prove their only route too.
Granada, though, came within a good whisker of another huge upset seeing that goals from Robert Kenedy and Roberto Soldado set them around the corner of the last four.
Instead, Koeman's side rallied, with Lionel Messi the architect and Griezmann delivering surely his best performance since he became a member of Barcelona from Atletico 18 months ago.
It is the sort of effectiveness that could prove a starting point for Koeman's team.
"A match and an outcome like this will feed our spirit and our durability," said Koeman. "They are moments which can be very significant in a season."
Griezmann now has 6 goals and seven assists found in his last nine game titles.
"Now I have consistency," said Griezmann. "I've felt very good since January and I want to retain it going before end of the growing season. I feel like I have the self-assurance of my coach and my teammates."
Barca's incentive is a place in the semis and they'll be major favourites after early exits for Atletico and Real Madrid.
They join Sevilla, who beat Almeria on Tuesday, and Levante, who also came through after extra-time for a surprise 1-0 win against Villarreal.
Real Betis or Athletic Bilbao play on Thursday going back spot.
Samuel Umtiti was responsible for Granada's opening several goals, primary robbed by Alberto Soro, who fired an instant move across for Kenedy to score, and outrun by Soldado, who finished into the corner.
Sergi Roberto went off using what appeared as if a hamstring strain and Barca sought out a way back.
Francisco Trincao and Messi both hit the woodwork while Griezmann drew a good save from goalkeeper Aaron Escandell with a good bicycle kick.
Finally the pressure told in the 88th minute, Griezmann sliding onto Messi's curled pass to the trunk post and catching it in the bounce, the ball cannoning away the goalkeeper and in.
Granada had four mins of added period to survive plus they held out for only two, a carbon-copy move from Messi locating Griezmann found in the same location, this time around the striker heading across for Alba to nod found in.
Luis Suarez could even so have won it for Granada in normal period but drove wide when sent clear and it appeared as if Barca had it wrapped up when Griezmann scored again in extra-period, heading in Alba's cross from the left.
Granada struck backside almost immediately, though, Sergino Dest knocking over Carlos Neva in the field and Fede Vico converting the penalty, only for Barcelona to locate a fourth. Messi's shot was parried out for De Jong to poach the rebound.
Granada were on the ropes and a good fifth proved the knock-out blow. Griezmann swept a outstanding distribute to Alba, who nonchalantly volleyed set for perhaps the best target of an exciting night.
