Atlético Madrid Advances to Copa del Rey Final Despite Barcelona’s Valiant Effort

Madrid, Spain – Atlético Madrid secured their place in the 2026 Copa del Rey final despite a 3-0 loss to defending champion Barcelona on Tuesday. The Madrid-based club advanced 4-3 on aggregate, having won the first leg 4-0 last month. This marks Atlético’s first appearance in the Copa del Rey final since winning the trophy in the 2012-13 season.

Barcelona’s Comeback Falls Short

Barcelona displayed a determined performance at Camp Nou, scoring through Marc Bernal (29th minute) and a penalty converted by Raphinha in first-half stoppage time. Bernal added his second goal in the 72nd minute, bringing Barcelona within one goal of leveling the series. Still, Atlético’s defense ultimately held firm.

Match Highlights and Key Moments

Barcelona started strongly, aiming to overturn the significant first-leg deficit. Bernal’s opening goal ignited hope for the Catalan side, and Raphinha’s penalty further fueled their momentum. Despite continued pressure and Bernal’s second goal, Barcelona was unable to find the crucial fourth goal needed to force extra time.

Simeone’s Reaction and Final Outlook

Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone acknowledged the difficulty of the match. “Maybe it wasn’t our best match, but it was a game of 180 minutes,” Simeone said, as reported by the Associated Press. “They had everything going their way but we suffered when we had to suffer. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but in the end we made it to the final.”

Barcelona’s Perspective

Raphinha expressed pride in the team’s effort despite the disappointment. “We knew it was going to be a tough match, it’s not easy to overcome a 4-0 defeat,” Raphinha stated. “But I’m proud of the team. We gave everything we had from the start. We depart disappointed because we wanted to be in the final, and I think we deserved it after the game that we played.”

Injuries Impact Barcelona’s Performance

Barcelona faced setbacks with injuries during the match. Defender Jules Koundé was forced off the pitch in the 13th minute, replaced by Alejandro Balde, who himself later requested a substitution. Forward Robert Lewandowski also missed the match due to an injury.

Looking Ahead

Atlético Madrid will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final, which will be held in Seville in April. Real Sociedad won the first leg of their semifinal matchup 1-0 against Athletic Bilbao, with the second leg scheduled for Wednesday. Barcelona, currently leading the Spanish league with a four-point advantage over Real Madrid, remains focused on their league campaign and their round of 16 Champions League tie.