Barcelona will face Real Madrid later this month after Ferran Torres’ first-half strike against Atlético Madrid set up a Clásico final in the Copa del Rey.
With the semi-final poised nicely at 4-4 after thrilling first leg in February, the former Manchester City forward capitalised on an exceptional through ball from Lamine Yamal to give Barça the advantage – and they never let it slip at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The Copa del Rey final will be played at Sevilla’s Estadio de la Cartuja on April 26.
As it happened
Displaying an aggressive press from the very first minute in front of their home fans, Atléti were perhaps lucky to escape without a red card when Cesar Azpilicueta and Rodrigo De Paul both committed high fouls on Raphinha. Despite a pitchside review, the pair escaped lightly and were permitted to continue.
But despite a spirited start from Diego Simeone’s side, Barcelona were able to take control of the match with ease and took the lead just before the half hour mark through Ferran Torres. Lamine Yamal’s pinpoint ball through the Atléti defence resulted in a tidy finish from the 25-year-old.
Barça had plenty of opportunities to extend their lead against a Colchoneros side that was growing visibly frustrated and collecting yellow cards at an alarming rate, but their slender one-goal advantage remained at the break.
Extensive changes from Simeone during the interval made the task much more difficult for the Blaugrana in the second half – but despite a shaky start as they adapted to Atléti’s revamped formation, Hansi Flick’s men were able to settle into the match nicely.
Alexander Sørloth had threatened to restore parity just minutes after the break, and despite squandering that chance, the Norwegian came thought he’d bagged the leveller on the 70 minute mark – only to be denied for offside.
Barça, despite looking utterly exhausted by the time the final whistle sounded, progress into the final of the Copa del Rey. They’ll face Real Madrid at the Estadio de la Cartuja on April 26, with the kick-off time yet to be confirmed.
The lineups
ATM: Musso; Reinildo, Le Normand, Giménez, Azpilicueta, Llorente; Simeone, Rivas, De Paul; Griezmann, Álvarez
BAR: Szczęsny; Baldé, Martínez, Cubarsí, Koundé; Pedri, de Jong; Pahinha, Fermín, Yamal; Torres