Atletico Madrid reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2013. They did it despite losing 3-0 to Barcelona on Tuesday night. Their big 4-0 win in the first leg in Madrid gave them a 4-3 win on aggregate after a tense semi final.
Barcelona pushed hard for a famous comeback. Young midfielder Marc Bernal scored two goals. Raphinha also scored from the penalty spot after Pedri was fouled. But it was not enough to turn the tie around.
“We’re in the final, that’s what matters,” Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso told Movistar Plus. “We knew it could be difficult. They’re one of the best teams in the world but we got through because we scored more goals than they did overall. That’s what it’s all about.”
Barcelona started the match with great energy. They needed at least four goals to force extra time. The home side kept Atletico deep in their own half and attacked again and again.
Lamine Yamal started the fight back in the 30th minute. He beat two defenders after a short corner and sent a low cross into the box. Bernal was there to finish from close range.
Atletico had a chance to calm the pressure. Ademola Lookman met a cross from Marcos Llorente but his header went just wide.
Barcelona doubled the lead just before the break. Defender Marc Pubill fouled Pedri inside the box in stoppage time. Raphinha scored the penalty with a calm finish as Musso dived the wrong way.
Barcelona kept attacking in the second half. Musso made several big saves to keep Atletico alive. He stopped Pedri with one hand in the 54th minute. He then denied Bernal and also blocked two attempts from Yamal.
Barcelona scored their third goal in the 72nd minute. Bernal volleyed home from a cross by Joao Cancelo. The goal left Barcelona only one strike away from extra time.
But Atletico held firm in the final minutes. They protected their aggregate lead and booked a place in the final.
They will now face the winner of the other semi final between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. Sociedad hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
“A game like this makes you feel really proud of your team,” Barcelona captain Raphinha told Movistar Plus.
“If we continue playing like this, we’ll have a spectacular end to the season. I’m sure the fans are proud too. We also know that we’re up against a team that defends very well.”
