Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal for Barcelona as they completed victory over Valencia in their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday.

The former Liverpool forward stretched at the far post to meet a cross from another one-time Anfield favourite, Luis Suárez, and directed the ball across goal and into the left corner. It gave Barcelona a 50th-minute lead on the night in the second leg at the Mestalla and a 2-0 aggregate advantage.


Coutinho left Liverpool to join Barcelona last month in a deal worth £142m.

Barcelona made sure of a place in the final when Ivan Rakitic sealed a 2-0 victory on the night and 3-0 overall success.

He struck after more good work from Suárez, who won possession midway through the Valencia half and threaded a pass to Rakitic on the edge of the penalty area.

After a couple of strides forward into the penalty area, the Croat struck a powerful low shot into the bottom left corner. Barcelona will face Sevilla in the final on 21 April after Vincenzo Montella’s side completed a 3-1 aggregate win against Leganés.