Atletico Madrid reach Copa del Rey final despite 3-0 defeat to Barcelona, advancing 4-3 on aggregate after dramatic semifinal clash
Atletico Madrid secured qualification for the Copa del Rey final on Tuesday night despite suffering a 3-0 second-leg defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou, advancing 4-3 on aggregate after surviving a fierce comeback attempt.
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Diego Simeone’s side entered the semifinal return leg with a commanding advantage following a 4-0 first-leg victory in February, but faced relentless pressure from Barcelona, who pushed aggressively for one of the competition’s most dramatic turnarounds.
Eighteen-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal scored twice for Barcelona, while Brazilian winger Raphinha converted a first-half penalty as the hosts attempted to overturn the deficit before a charged home crowd.
Barcelona began the encounter with urgency, with Fermin Lopez setting the early tone through a long-range effort that narrowly cleared the crossbar.
The hosts suffered an early disruption when defender Jules Kounde was forced off through injury, although attacking momentum remained intense throughout the opening period.
Atletico Madrid threatened intermittently on the counterattack, with Antoine Griezmann testing his former club and Ademola Lookman narrowly missing a headed opportunity that later proved costly.
Barcelona eventually broke through when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal delivered a low cross across goal for Bernal to finish from close range, highlighting the youthful spark driving Hansi Flick’s side.
The pressure intensified before half-time after Pedri was brought down inside the penalty area by Marc Pubill, allowing Raphinha to calmly dispatch the resulting spot kick past goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Joao Cancelo nearly added a third soon after the interval, only for Musso to produce a crucial save that kept Atletico’s aggregate lead intact during a nervy spell.
Bernal reignited belief among Barcelona supporters late in the match, volleying home from Cancelo’s cross to bring the Catalan side within a single goal of forcing extra time and setting up a tense finale.
In a bold tactical gamble, Hansi Flick pushed centre-back Ronald Araujo into an attacking role during the closing minutes as Barcelona searched desperately for a decisive fourth goal.
Gerard Martin came close during six minutes of stoppage time, but Atletico Madrid’s defence held firm under sustained pressure.
The result sends Atletico Madrid into their first Copa del Rey final since 2013, a hard-fought achievement shaped as much by resilience as attacking quality.
Goalkeeper Juan Musso described progression to the final as a powerful reward for the team’s defensive resolve.
“Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world, but we got through,” Musso said after the match. “We are going to the final; we will give everything.”
Barcelona forward Raphinha praised his teammates’ effort despite elimination, insisting the squad would now refocus on domestic and European ambitions.
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Atletico Madrid will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao in the final scheduled to take place in Seville on April 18.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
