Diego Simeone’s aspect attain Copa del Rey ultimate for the primary time since 2013 with 4-3 mixture semifinal victory.
Revealed On 3 Mar 2026
Atletico Madrid struggled via a 3-0 Copa del Rey semifinal second leg defeat at Barcelona, however scraped into the ultimate 4-3 on mixture.
The Spanish champions virtually produced a comeback for the ages on Tuesday after their 4-0 first-leg defeat in early February, however fell simply quick at Camp Nou.
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Eighteen-year-old Marc Bernal netted twice for the report 32-time winners, and Raphinha scored a penalty, as Barcelona tried in useless to claw again the lead for Diego Simeone’s aspect.
Atletico, who clung on desperately within the ultimate phases, returned to the ultimate for the primary time since 2013.
They are going to face Actual Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao, who meet on Wednesday within the second semifinal leg.
Barcelona got here out flying, and Fermin Lopez’s long-range effort simply over the bar set the tone, as Hansi Flick’s aspect threw every part that they had at a possible comeback.
They had been dealt an early setback when Jules Kounde went off injured within the opening phases. Antoine Griezmann got here shut in opposition to his former aspect, as Atletico threatened on the counterattack.
Ferran Torres fired large and had a shot saved low on the close to submit by Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso earlier than Barcelona took the lead.
Teenage participant Lamine Yamal drilled throughout the face of the aim for Bernal to complete from shut vary, with one 18-year-old establishing one other.
Ademola Lookman headed narrowly off-target for Atletico and got here to rue the miss as Barca doubled their benefit earlier than the interval.
Spain midfielder Pedri was tripped within the field by Marc Pubill, and Raphinha despatched Musso the incorrect method from the spot.
Joao Cancelo virtually grabbed the third, however his shot was crushed away by Musso at full stretch, with Diego Simeone’s workforce on the ropes.
Bernal arrange a frantic finale when he volleyed dwelling Cancelo’s swirling cross to take Barca inside one aim of the crumbling Rojiblancos.
Flick put centre-back Ronald Araujo up entrance for the ultimate phases, looking for a fourth aim to “make the not possible attainable”, as he referred to as on his workforce to do earlier than the sport.
Gerard Martin hammered narrowly over the bar as Barca turned the screw, with followers roaring the workforce on via six minutes of stoppage time.
The Rojiblancos fended off Barca and booked their place within the Seville ultimate on April 18.
Musso stated getting via to the ultimate was crucial factor.
“Barcelona are probably the greatest groups on the earth, however we bought via,” he stated after the sport.
“We’re going to the ultimate; we are going to give our every part, and get the Copa del Rey.”
In the meantime, Raphinha stated he was happy with his teammates, even when they only fell quick.
“The followers might see we gave every part we had. It’s important to perceive, we had been up in opposition to a aspect who had been defending [well] and doing what they wanted to do… We did every part attainable, however lacked slightly bit,” he stated.
“What occurred in the present day is up to now. We needed to get within the ultimate, but it surely occurs … For now, we are going to go for the La Liga and Champions League [titles].”
