Diego Simeone’s team reaches the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2013 with a 4-3 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.
Published March 3, 2026
Atlético de Madrid suffered a 3-0 defeat in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Barcelona, but managed to reach the final 4-3 on aggregate.
The Spanish champions almost pulled off an unforgettable comeback on Tuesday after their 4-0 first-leg defeat in early February, but fell short at the Camp Nou.
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Eighteen-year-old Marc Bernal scored two goals for a record 32 wins, and Raphinha scored a penalty, as Barcelona tried in vain to regain the lead for Diego Simeone’s team.
Atlético, who desperately held on in the final stages, returned to the final for the first time since 2013.
They will face Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao, who will meet on Wednesday in the second leg of the semi-finals.
Barcelona came out flying, and Fermín López’s long-range shot just over the bar set the tone, as Hansi Flick’s team threw everything they had into a possible comeback.
They suffered an early setback when Jules Kounde was injured in the early stages. Antoine Griezmann was close to his former team when Atlético threatened on the counterattack.
Ferran Torres shot wide and Atlético goalkeeper Juan Musso saved a low shot at the near post before Barcelona took the lead.
Teenage player Lamine Yamal drilled a goal for Bernal to finish from close range, and one 18-year-old set up another.
Ademola Lookman headed narrowly wide for Atletico and rueed the mistake as Barca doubled their lead before the break.
Spanish midfielder Pedri was brought down in the area by Marc Pubill, and Raphinha sent Musso the wrong way from the spot.
Joao Cancelo was about to score the third, but his shot was deflected by Musso in the middle of the straight, with Diego Simeone’s team against the ropes.
Bernal set up a frenetic finish when he volleyed in a Cancelo cross to put Barca within a goal of the crumbling Rojiblancos.
Flick brought forward center back Ronald Araujo for the final stages, in search of a fourth goal to “make the impossible possible”, as he asked his team before the game.
Gerard Martín hit just over the bar as Barça tightened the screw, with the fans cheering the team on for six minutes of stoppage time.
The rojiblancos defended Barça and booked their place in the final in Seville on April 18.
Musso said reaching the final was the most important thing.
“Barcelona is one of the best teams in the world, but we did it,” he said after the game.
“We are going to the final, we will give everything and we will win the Copa del Rey.”
Meanwhile, Raphinha said he was proud of his teammates, even if they came up short.
“The fans could see that we gave everything we had. You have to understand, we faced a team that defended (well) and did what they had to do… We did everything possible, but we lacked a little,” he said.
“What happened today is a thing of the past. We wanted to reach the final, but it happens… For now, we will go for La Liga and the Champions League (titles).”
