Jules Kounde And Alejandro Balde Golazos Help Barcelona Bounce Back From Clasico Thrashing By Beating Unionistas In Copa Del Rey

Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde scored superb goals as Barcelona progressed to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey by beating Unionistas de Salamanca 3-1.

Barcelona progressed to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey by winning 3-1 away at third-tier side Unionistas de Salamanca on Thursday.

This was Barca's first game since being thrashed 4-1 by Real Madrid in the final of the Supercopa de Espana last week.

That Clasico defeat increased the pressure on Xavi Hernandez and things looked even more precarious for the Barca boss when Alvaro Gomez brilliantly volleyed Unionistas into a shock lead in the 31st minute.

But Ferran Torres leveled for the 31-time champions just before half-time.

Jules Kounde then fired Barca ahead with a powerful strike from long range before a superb solo goal from Alejandro Balde sealed the victory.

Alejandro Balde pictured celebrating after scoring for Barcelona in a 3-1 win at Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey on Thursday :: IMAGO/Marca/Jose A Garcia

Elsewhere on Thursday, reigning champions Real Madrid exited the Copa del Rey following a 4-2 loss at city rivals Atletico Madrid after extra time.

Barca and Atleti will be joined in Friday's quarter-final draw by Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad, Girona and Mallorca.

Highlights: Unionistas de Salamanca 1-3 Barcelona