Barcelona secured their place in the Copa del Rey final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their semifinal tie at the Metropolitano Stadium on April 2, 2025. The aggregate score of 5-4 saw Barcelona advance to face their fierce rivals, Real Madrid, in the final.
The match began with both teams eager to assert their dominance, mirroring the thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg. Early on, Atletico's Cesar Azpilicueta was subjected to a VAR review for a potential red card after a foul on Barcelona's Raphinha, but the referee opted for a yellow card instead.
Barcelona's breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Ferran Torres, starting in place of Robert Lewandowski, found the net with a well-placed shot after a brilliant assist from Lamine Yamal. This goal gave Barcelona a crucial aggregate lead, making it 5-4.
Despite creating numerous chances, Barcelona struggled to extend their lead. Raphinha had a golden opportunity in the 40th minute but was denied by a sharp save from Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso. As the first half concluded, Barcelona held onto their slim advantage, with Wojciech Szczesny largely untroubled in goal.
Atletico Madrid came out with renewed vigor in the second half, making tactical changes and introducing Alexander Sorloth at halftime. The striker nearly made an immediate impact, hitting the side netting just five minutes after the restart. However, it was in the 68th minute that Sorloth thought he had leveled the score, only for his goal to be ruled offside, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
As the match progressed, Atletico pressed hard for an equalizer, but Barcelona's defense, led by Inigo Martinez and Jules Kounde, held firm. Barcelona committed 16 fouls compared to Atletico's nine, showcasing the intensity of the match as both teams fought for every ball.
In the closing stages, Barcelona made substitutions to shore up their defense, bringing on Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo to replace Pau Cubarsi and Fermín López. Gerard Martin also entered the fray, replacing the dynamic Lamine Yamal, who had been a constant threat on the left flank.
Despite a late surge from Atletico, Barcelona managed to maintain their lead. The final whistle blew after four minutes of added time, confirming their place in the final against Real Madrid on April 26, 2025. This victory marks another significant achievement for Barcelona under coach Hansi Flick, who has led the team to an impressive unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Player ratings from the match reflected the efforts of the Barcelona squad. Ferran Torres earned an 8.5 for his decisive goal, while Lamine Yamal, who assisted the goal, also received an 8.5 for his vibrant performance. Pedri was lauded for his calmness under pressure, earning an 8.5 as well. Wojciech Szczesny, who made crucial saves when called upon, received a solid 7.5 rating.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid's efforts were not without merit. Despite the defeat, they showed resilience and attacking intent, but ultimately fell short against a disciplined Barcelona side. Coach Diego Simeone will be looking for lessons learned as his team shifts focus to their remaining league fixtures.
As the Copa del Rey final approaches, fans are already buzzing with anticipation for the classic showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid, a match that promises to be a highlight of the Spanish football calendar.
