The big news: Barcelona win big

Barcelona beat Hercules 7-0 to book a spot in the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey after an impressive show on Wednesday. Arda Turan scored a hat-trick as Barcelona claimed an emphatic win over third-tier Hercules.

With the tie at 1-1 after the first leg, Barcelona were without the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar as they were rested, but still ran riot smashing seven goals. Lucas Digne, Ivan Rakitic and a Rafinha gave Barcelona the upper hand before Turan’s hat-trick and Paco Alcacer gave them the authoritative win.

Other top stories

  1. Jeje Lalpekhlua was named AIFF Player of the Year for 2016 on Wednesday, during the Annual General Body Meeting held in New Delhi. The meeting also saw Sasmita Malik being conferred the 2016 AIFF Woman Footballer of the Year award. 
  2. Bayern Munich beat second-placed RB Leipzig 3-0 to cement their spot at top of the Bundesliga table. Thiago, Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski were on target as Munich were unstoppable in the course of the match. 
  3. Benfica coach Rui Vitoria did not rule out Sweden defender Victor Lindelof joining Manchester United next month. United manager Jose Mourinho is keen on Lindelof as reports emerged that he will travel to England on Monday to discuss a potential transfer to the Premier League club. 
  4. I-league team Mumbai FC have signed goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani. Kattimani, a former Dempo FC player, has won the tournament in 2009-’10 and 2011-’12. 
  5. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he wants to extend his stay beyond his three-year contract because he adores his time at the club. Mourinho joined the club in July, and they lie sixth in the Premier League after 17 games. 
  6. Steve Holland has been named England assistant manager after an interim spell in the job. Holland, who is currently Chelsea’s assistant first-team coach, will work with England for the games against Germany and Lithuania in March. He will leave his role with the Premier League club in the summer to join manager Gareth Southgate’s team full-time. 
  7. Praful Patel was unanimously re-elected as the All India Football Federation’s president in the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. Patel was elected for a third term after being elected in 2012.