The half time stats show Barcelona had 71% possession with three attempts at goal. They scored from two of those.

Hercules, meanwhile, are yet to work home goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

And that penalty is the last action of the half.

It took Barcelona a while, but two goals in quick successions sees them in control of this Copa del Rey tie.

Arda Turan, on the run, turns the ball back inside and has his feet swipes from underneath him by Fernando Roman.

Penalty kick.

Frenchman Lucas Digne has got one and is looking for another, but his header at the back post is mis-directed and flies over the crossbar.

Oh, oh. Aleix Vidal is not happy after a challenge and Hercules skipper Paco Pena gets involved. He fronts up to the Barcelona man and raises his hands to him - which the referee sees - but is only given a yellow card.

A sympathetic decision from the referee during the festive period.

The closest Barcelona have come to scoring.

It is a brilliant run from Denis Suarez, who picks the ball up inside his own half before making a run down the left flank and into the area.

He beats three defenders with quick feet, but then drags his shot into the side netting.

From eight yards out, the former Villarreal man should have worked the Hercules goalkeeper.

Hercules get into the Barcelona penalty area for the first time as Chechu Flores gallops forward, but a poor touch allows Javier Mascherano to make the tackle and the chance is gone.

After some treatment from the physio on the sidelines, Checa is well enough to trot back onto the pitch.

A break in play and a chance for Hercules to get a drink as Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez comes through the back of Checa, who is down in a heap.

Pass, pass, pass across the Hercules defensive line, all lined up across the edge of the box before Ivan Rakitic takes matters into his own hands by lashing a shot over the crossbar.

Good judgement from Hercules goalkeeper Ivan Buigues, who sprints off his line to pluck the ball off Samuel Umtiti's head following Ivan Rakitic's cross.

All Barca but lacking in penetration.

Image source, Getty Images

Difficult work for Barcelona so far as they try and unlock a defence which contains 11 men.

Denis Suarez gets two bites at Arda Turan's cross but is eventually flagged offside.

A.J. Vergette: "leaving out the big guns" is fair enough. But what does that make Rafinha, Arda Turan and Paco Alcacer? Mid range artillery?  

Image source, EPA

Hercules foray forward for the first time with Chechu Flores and the long-haired Checa involved in the move, but it breaks down as they reach the edge of the Barcelona box.]

Nose bleed territory.

81% possession so far for Barcelona, still no goals though.

Ivan Rakitic seeing plenty of the ball in the middle of the park but has been unable to create an opportunity yet.

Barcelona happy to be patient and take their time to try and unlock the Hercules defence.

You would think when the hosts get the first, the floodgates will open up for five or six.

Image source, Getty Images

Hercules playing the old 6-3-1 formation. Think they need to drop one more back into defence as Barcelona are controlling the tempo.

What more would you expect from the home side playing at the Nou Camp.

First shot at goal by Barcelona, first of many I should think.

French left-back Lucas Digne fashions a chance inside the area, dragging the ball from left foot to right, but his shot is wild and over the crossbar.