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#3 Man-of-the-match Antoine Griezmann continues impressive recent run of form for Barcelona
Antoine Griezmann's time at Barcelona has been filled with several ups and downs. However, the France international has hit a purple patch since the turn of the year.
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He scored a brace and assisted one in the 4-0 victory over Granada in January and was on hand to put El Graná to the sword once again.
The 29-year-old ended the night with one goal and two assists as well as forcing an own goal. All his contributions showcased his growing confidence in the side.
His anticipation and determination to get on the end of Messi's pass played a key role in his side's first goal. And although there was an element of luck to the goal, the former Real Sociedad man very much created his own luck.
Barcelona's equaliser came in almost the same fashion, as a similar pass by Messi was headed into the area by Griezmann for Jordi Alba to force extra-time.
Both men once again combined for their side's fourth and fifth, interchanging between scoring and providing for one another.
The technique required for Antoine Griezmann to produce the cross for Barcelona's fifth underlined his incredible ability. Although Alba also deserves praise for his sumptuous finish, equal veneration should go to Barcelona's number 7 for pulling off such a difficult skill with relative ease.
His returns against Granada means that Griezmann has now scored seven goals and provided six assists from his last 10 games in all competitions.
The Catalans paid top dollar to sign the forward in 2019 ,and they knew they were getting a world-class player capable of illuminating Camp Nou. After 18 months of hits and misses, the France international is finally coming through.
#2 Copa tournament changes continues to provide drama
Mounting disinterest in the early stages of the Copa del Rey saw the Spanish football federation (RFEF) make drastic changes to the tournament schedule and format.
The number of entrants was expanded to 125 teams, and all ties were changed to single games until a two-legged semi-final.
Most crucially, all ties between sides in different leagues were played at the home of the teams in the lower tier. This gave regional and provincial teams the opportunity to host world-class superstars.
The 2019-20 edition of the tournament was the first to implement these changes, and it saw several dramatic moments recorded.
Real Madrid and Barcelona suffered early exits, marking the first time that the Clasico rivals did not make the semifinal of the tournament in 10 years.
This season, it has been more of the same, with Real and Atletico Madrid already eliminated, while the Blaugrana were two minutes away from joining their fellow giants.
Furthermore, this new change sees all teams give their all in 90 minutes, knowing there might not be a second chance at glory.
In previous editions, it was not uncommon to see bigger sides field weakened teams in first legs (usually played at the home of the lower team), safe in the knowledge that they could bring on their big guns to turn the ties around in the return fixture.
Such rules would have denied us this classic at Nuevo Los Carmenes. Barcelona might not have pushed on for the equaliser in injury time, knowing a one-goal deficit was not too difficult to overcome at Camp Nou.
We might not have had the luxury of seeing Lionel Messi and other key players in action. However, the new tournament change to the Copa del Rey ensured we witnessed an all-time classic.
#1 Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Lionel Messi had his imprints on the game
Beyond his current off-field drama, Lionel Messi continues to be a difference-maker on the field for Barcelona.
Against Granada, the 33-year-old was at his creative best to ensure his side turned the tie around away from home.
It was his pass to the back post that allowed Antoine Griezmann half the deficit, and he hit the post soon after that. Another inch-perfect cross to the backpost saw his teammate head back into the box for the leveller.
Lionel Messi continued to make a mark in extra-time, winning the corner from which Barcelona went 3-2 up. His saved shot was parried into Frenkie de Jong's path to put Barcelona ahead once again.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was, however, not done. His cleared shot off the line was followed by Griezmann setting Jordi Alba up for the final goal of the night.
Even though he did not get on the scoresheet himself, Lionel Messi had a hand in all five Barcelona goals, once again highlighting his overwhelming importance to the side.
