Barcelona Clinches Semi-Final Victory Over Atletico Madrid
Barcelona secured a 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid in a tense Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, advancing 5-4 on aggregate. Ferran Torres' first-half strike proved decisive at the Metropolitano stadium, propelling the Catalans into a highly anticipated final clash with rivals Real Madrid.
Unbeaten Streak Fuels Quadruple Hopes
Hansi Flick's side extended their unbeaten run to 21 matches in 2025, maintaining hopes for a historic quadruple. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal assisted Torres' clinical finish, continuing his breakout season. Atletico, who last defeated Barcelona in December's La Liga encounter, now trail the league leaders by nine points.
Coaches, Players Reflect on High-Stakes Victory
Torres emphasized team unity post-match: 'We must stay humble and keep working. A final against our biggest rival is ultimate motivation.' Flick praised his squad's resilience in hostile conditions, while Atletico defender Jose Gimenez acknowledged fan disappointment after their Copa exit.
Road to Redemption for Both Madrid Giants
The April final marks Barcelona's chance to claim their 32nd Copa title, while Real Madrid seeks to derail their rivals' trophy ambitions. Atletico Madrid, eliminated from European competition by Real in March, now face a domestic campaign focused on securing Champions League qualification.
