Earlier today, Barcelona took on Huesca in the second leg of this season's Copa del Rey.
While the Blaugrana have looked unsteady at times this season, the gulf in class between the Catalan giants and their minnow opponents was as obvious as can be. So much so, in fact, that Luis Enrique could afford to give star attacking trio Lionel Messi, Neymar, and new signing Luis Suarez the evening off.
In fact, it was an opportunity for some of the club's current crop of La Masia players to get some first-team football experience, as well as for some of the other senior players who have not enjoyed as much playing time as they would have liked.
Arguably the star of the show was Pedro, who has been restricted to a bit-part role due to the presence of Messi, Neymar, and now Suarez, but the Spanish international showed his class as he netted a perfect hat-trick (one with each foot and a header) all within the first half.
However, one huge talking point was the presence of Barcelona's famed youth academy and the influence they enjoyed over the course of the game. The Blaugrana's famed La Masia academy is recognized as the top footballing schools in the world, having produced players like Xavi, Messi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, and many more.
It was certainly a great night for Barcelona fans to see that the future looks bright at the club with some of the youth players putting in a good shift, and they took to as usual, social media to express their opinions:
7 of 8 goals today were scored by La Masia graduates :)
— Jojo Culé. M♥ (@jperkovic93) December 16, 2014
FT Barcelona 8-1 Huesca | Barca qualify for the next round of the CdR (12-1 on agg.) Goals: Pedro 3, Roberto Iniesta Adriano Sandro Adama 1
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) December 16, 2014
FT: Barcelona 8 - 1 Huesca. agg: 12-1 Let me get this straight. 12 goals scored over 2 legs.10 by La Masia graduates pic.twitter.com/pQoqsxGpgp
— Fcb one touch (@fcb_OneTouch) December 16, 2014
Only Barcelona will score 8 goals, and 7 were scored by players from their academy. La Masia, enough said. pic.twitter.com/NPhjjgeu6i
— Nikobarcenal (@Nikomarvel) December 16, 2014
Martín Montoya was the first player ever to go through all stages of La Masia from Benjamin A to the first team. #Systemized
— Visca Barça! (@RockBottom88) December 14, 2014
Barcelona 5-0 Huesca. Pedro with his third goal of the night. All five goals have been scored from La Masia graduates.
— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) December 16, 2014