Barcelona Edge Atletico Madrid to Reach Copa del Rey Final

Barcelona moved one step closer to an extraordinary quadruple with a 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final win over Atletico Madrid, securing a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Ferran Torres' crucial goal helped Barcelona secure a narrow 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. The victory sealed a 5-4 aggregate win for Barca, booking their spot in the Copa del Rey final for the first time since the 2020/21 season.

Atletico Madrid were eager to finally overcome Barcelona, having suffered two previous defeats since late February. Their desperation may have contributed to Cesar Azpilicueta's early reckless tackle on Raphinha, which earned him a yellow card. Fortunately for Azpilicueta, the referee opted not to upgrade the card to a red despite the studs-up challenge.

Barcelona soon gained control of the match, with Lamine Yamal's exceptional first touch and subsequent shot narrowly missing the target. The contest was intense, with both teams committing to tough tackles. However, Barcelona's dominance paid off in the first half when Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal, poking Yamal's precise pass past Juan Musso while stretching to meet the ball.

Barcelona had the opportunity to double their lead before halftime, but Raphinha's low shot from a tight angle was saved by Juan Musso. The missed chance meant Barcelona took a slender 1-0 lead into the break.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone made a triple substitution at halftime, seeking to inject fresh momentum into his team. One of the substitutes, Alexander Sorloth, who had scored a crucial goal in the first leg, was heavily involved again. He fired a shot into the side netting shortly after coming on, as Atleti improved significantly in the second half.

Despite Atletico Madrid's improvement, Barcelona remained a threat. Raphinha's neat touch and low strike almost extended their lead. However, the home fans' celebrations were short-lived, as a marginal offside call denied Sorloth a goal midway through the second half. Sorloth had raced through on goal and scored with a low strike, only to be ruled offside.

🚨 FULL TIME!!!!!!!!!! 🚨

INTO THE COPA DEL REY FINAL! pic.twitter.com/Dy4GOTQdaX

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 2, 2025

The match saw few clear-cut opportunities, especially in comparison to the first leg. Atletico Madrid successfully restricted Barcelona's attacking chances after the halftime reshuffle. Despite their efforts, an elusive equalizer never materialized for Atleti, allowing Barcelona to secure a 1-0 win and a 5-4 aggregate victory. This marked Barcelona's fourth consecutive away win against Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid's defeat marks their sixth consecutive match without a win, with one draw and five losses. This dismal run highlights their recent struggles, and with a nine-point gap in LaLiga, their hopes of claiming domestic silverware have all but vanished.

Barcelona, on the other hand, continues to soar under Hansi Flick. Unbeaten in 21 games across all competitions, with 18 wins and three draws, they remain firmly on track for an extraordinary quadruple. Having already secured the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona will now shift their focus to their upcoming clash against Real Madrid in Seville.