Barcelona defeat Atletico Madrid 1-0 to secure Copa del Rey final spot against Real Madrid

‎Barcelona booked their place in the Copa del Rey final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday, securing a 5-4 aggregate win. Ferran Torres' first-half strike was the difference, as the Blaugrana now prepare for a highly anticipated final against Real Madrid.

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Barcelona triumph at Atletico Madrid to reach Copa del Rey final.

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‎The match began in a similar vein to the thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg, with both teams attacking freely. Early drama saw Atletico’s Cesar Azpilicueta undergo a VAR review for a possible red card after fouling Barcelona’s Raphinha in the opening minutes. However, the referee opted for just a yellow card.

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‎Barcelona’s breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark when Lamine Yamal delivered a perfectly timed pass to Ferran Torres. The stand-in striker, replacing the injured Robert Lewandowski, coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Barcelona a crucial away goal, taking a 5-4 aggregate lead.

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‎Raphinha had a chance to double the lead in the 40th minute, but his effort from an acute angle was denied by Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso. As the second half progressed, Atletico coach Diego Simeone made attacking changes, introducing Alexander Sorloth, who had a close-range attempt saved and later saw a goal ruled out for offside.

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‎Despite relentless pressure from Atletico, Barcelona’s defense, led by Wojciech Szczesny, stood firm. Atletico failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match, underscoring Barcelona's defensive resilience.

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‎With the 1-0 victory secured, Barcelona now turns its focus to the final, where they will face their Clasico rivals, Real Madrid, on April 26 in what promises to be a highly charged encounter.

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‎Player Ratings for Barcelona’s Victory at Atletico Madrid:

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‎Goalkeeper & Defense

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‎Wojciech Szczesny (6/10): Maintained control of his area but was rarely tested, as Atletico failed to register a shot on target.

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‎Jules Kounde (7/10): Provided attacking support and dealt well with Antoine Griezmann’s movements.

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‎Pau Cubarsi (7/10): Strong in defense but substituted before the hour mark as a precaution after returning from injury.

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‎Inigo Martinez (7/10): Solid as always, though slightly unsettled by Sorloth’s introduction.

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‎Alejandro Balde (6/10): Defensively sound, but unable to offer his usual attacking threat due to Atletico's high press.

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‎Midfield

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‎Frenkie de Jong (7/10): A composed presence in midfield, ensuring the team’s smooth operation without being flashy.

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‎Fermin Lopez (7/10): Showed attacking intent, linking well with Torres before being substituted.

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‎Pedri (8/10): Orchestrated midfield play with some brilliant passes, though he couldn't fully dominate the game.

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‎Attack

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‎Lamine Yamal (9/10): Played a key role in the win, delivering a brilliant assist for Torres and continuing to impress with his maturity at just 17.

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‎Ferran Torres (8/10): Scored a well-taken goal and was a constant threat up front before being substituted.

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‎Raphinha (7/10): Targeted by Atletico's physical tactics but kept looking for opportunities, despite being unable to find the net.

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‎Substitutes & Manager

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‎Ronald Araujo (6/10): Contributed solid clearances after coming on, though his passing was slightly off.

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‎Eric Garcia (6/10): Made an immediate impact but required treatment after a heavy challenge.

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‎Robert Lewandowski (6/10): Had little chance to make an impact after coming on for Torres.

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‎Gerard Martin (N/A): Played a brief cameo role in the final minutes.

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‎Hansi Flick (8/10): Made bold tactical decisions, with starting Ferran Torres proving to be a masterstroke, although the second half became somewhat defensive.

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‎With Barcelona through to the final, the stage is set for an epic showdown with Real Madrid on April 26, marking another chapter in one of football's fiercest rivalries.