Barcelona Set Up Classico Copa del Rey Final After Narrow Win Over Atletico Madrid
Barcelona has secured their place in the Copa del Rey final after defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the second leg of their semifinal tie, progressing 5-4 on aggregate. The decisive goal came from Ferran Torres, propelling the Catalan giants to face their arch-rivals Real Madrid in the final.
The match, held at the Metropolitano Stadium, followed a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg, where Barcelona showcased their resilience and tactical superiority. This victory marks another step in Barcelona’s pursuit of a potential quadruple this season, as they remain unbeaten in 2025, extending their unbeaten run to 21 matches.
Atletico Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match, leaving them with little to play for as they trail Barcelona by nine points in La Liga with just nine matches remaining. The last team to defeat Barcelona was Atletico, who had a brief stint at the top of the league before the Catalans regained their dominance.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick made a strategic decision to include winger Raphinha in the starting lineup, a move that proved crucial. Atletico attempted to neutralize his impact, with Cesar Azpilicueta receiving a yellow card for a rough tackle, while Rodrigo de Paul was also cautioned for a hard challenge on the Brazilian.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was instrumental for Barcelona, delivering a well-weighted pass to Torres for the opening goal, highlighting his growing influence in the squad. Despite some missed opportunities, including a close-range effort from Yamal and a good chance for Raphinha, Barcelona maintained control.
Atletico made three substitutions at halftime, including bringing on Alexander Sorloth, who had scored three goals in previous encounters against Barcelona this season. However, he narrowly missed the target early in the second half, and a disallowed goal for offside further dampened Atletico’s momentum.
As the match progressed, Barcelona introduced top scorer Robert Lewandowski for Torres in an effort to solidify their lead. Despite increased pressure from Atletico in the closing minutes, including a late free-kick from De Paul that saw goalkeeper Juan Musso venture forward, Barcelona’s defense held firm.
