Barcelona have set up a mouthwatering Copa del Rey final against bitter rivals Real Madrid courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday night.
The first leg between the two teams was a blockbuster affair, with the score finishing 4-4 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, meaning that the tie was delicately poised ahead of the return fixture in the capital.
As it transpired, only one goal separated the two teams on the night and indeed in the tie, with Ferran Torres striking in the first period after a wonderful pass from teenage superstar Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to lock horns in the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2014, when Los Blancos ran out 2-1 winners, and both teams are still chasing trebles in the latter stages of the campaign.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Barcelona do not know anything other than winning at the moment, with Hansi Flick turning the Catalan outfit into a team that are more than capable of securing a spectacular treble this season.
The goals have been flying in for Barcelona for the majority of this season, but this was a more measured performance from the La Liga leaders, and it proved to be the second time in little over two weeks that they have beaten Atletico at Wanda Metropolitano.
Torres justified his selection with another goal - his 16th in all competitions this term - and it will now be Barcelona against Real Madrid in the final of the 2025 Copa del Rey at the end of April.
Both teams are also major contenders for the Champions League this season and are going head-to-head in La Liga, but Atletico have simply been left behind in recent weeks.
Diego Simeone's side were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid and have fallen well off the pace in the league, while the Red and Whites have now been eliminated from the Copa del Rey, failing to register a single shot on target on Wednesday night.
A promising season looks to be ending in huge disappointment for Atletico, but Barcelona have marched on, and they have now cemented themselves as one of the finest teams in European football once again.
ATLETICO MADRID VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
Ferran Torres goal vs. Atletico Madrid (27th min, Atletico Madrid 0-1 Barcelona)
Barcelona strike first in the second leg! 🔵🔴
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 2, 2025
Ferran Torres can't stop scoring, and what about that for a perfectly weighted assist from Lamine Yamal 👏 pic.twitter.com/c88oIpuqGp
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 27th minute of the second leg, and it is Torres on the scoresheet once again, with the Spaniard turning past Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso following an excellent pass from Yamal.
MAN OF THE MATCH - LAMINE YAMAL
© Imago
Yamal is an absolute magician, and it would be a shock if he did not go on to become the best player in the world; in truth, he is not far from it at 17, which is quite extraordinary.
The Spain international's pass for the only goal of the match was sensational, and he was such a huge threat to Atletico during his 86 minutes on the field, with Simeone's side simply unable to contain the superstar.
ATLETICO MADRID VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Atletico Madrid 43%-57% Barcelona
Shots: Atletico Madrid 6-15 Barcelona
Shots on target: Atletico Madrid 0-5 Barcelona
Corners: Atletico Madrid 6-7 Barcelona
Fouls: Atletico Madrid 11-22 Barcelona
BEST STATS
17 - In the Top 5 European League this season in all competitions this season, @Lamineeyamal__ is the player with the most through balls (37, equal to Bruno Fernandes) and the second with the most assists from open play (17, behind Salah's 22). Magic.#Barcelona 💙❤#LaCopaMola pic.twitter.com/TZjub57MeM
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 2, 2025
EL CLÁSICO IN THE COPA DEL REY FINAL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 11 YEARS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/BtyJ0ko4lJ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 2, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Both teams will now switch their attention back to La Liga; Barcelona will continue their campaign with a clash against Real Betis on Saturday night, while Atletico will take on Sevilla at Estadio Ramon on Sunday afternoon.
Barcelona are currently top of the La Liga table, three points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, while they sit nine clear of third-placed Atletico, with the Red and Whites seeing their title hopes fade due to their recent issues.
Matt Law
