Barcelona eliminate Atletico, setting up a Clasico final in the Copa del Rey

MADRID April 4, 2025: Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after Ferran Torres secured a 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, advancing 5-4 on aggregate from the semifinal.

Record 31-time winners Barcelona were dominant at the Metropolitano Stadium following the thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg. The defeat leaves Atletico Madrid with little to play for this season. In contrast, Barcelona is chasing a potential quadruple and remains unbeaten in 2025, extending their run to 21 games without a loss.

Atletico, the last team to beat Barcelona before Christmas, now trail the Catalans by nine points in La Liga with nine matches left.

“We can’t relax, we have to keep believing and working, with humility, and I’m sure good things will come,” Torres told Movistar. “If a final is already a huge motivation, imagine playing against your most direct rival.”

Real Madrid also progressed to the final after edging Real Sociedad 5-4 on aggregate, following a 4-4 draw on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick brought winger Raphinha back into the starting lineup, and Atletico attempted to shut him down aggressively, with Cesar Azpilicueta receiving a yellow card for one foul and Rodrigo de Paul also cautioned.

Teenage winger Lamine Yamal was outstanding for Barcelona, creating chances and providing the assist for Torres’ opener, which was clinically finished. Yamal later missed a good opportunity himself, and Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso denied Raphinha at his near post.

Atletico made three changes at halftime, including bringing on Alexander Sorloth, who had scored in the previous three meetings between the teams. However, Sorloth’s attempt early in the second half went narrowly wide.

At the other end, Raphinha forced another save from Musso, and Sorloth thought he had equalized, but was ruled offside. Flick then brought on Robert Lewandowski for Torres, but the Polish striker struggled to make an impact.

As Atletico pushed for a late goal, Musso came up for a De Paul free-kick in stoppage time, but Barcelona held on to advance.

Atletico, who were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in the last 16, had hoped the Copa del Rey would be their best chance for silverware this season.

“We have to thank the fans who supported us, we’re as sad as them,” said Atletico defender Jose Gimenez. “We have to lift our heads, finish the season in the best way possible, and carry on. We have to accept the reality, with rational thinking, knowing we’re a long way off (the top of La Liga), but we’ll try until the end.