Barcelona set another date with arch rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after Ferran Torres goal secured Catalans a 1-0 win on Wednesday at Atletico Madrid with a 5-4 aggregate.
Hansi Flick men had the better part of the Metropolitano stadium after the fierce 4-4 draw at first leg in Camp Nou, this defeat left Atletico with a little to play for the rest of the season after crashing out of UEFA Champions League as well.
With this win for Catalans, they are on point for potential quadruple this season and are unbeaten in 2025 with a stretch run through to 21 games without defeat.
Flick brought star winger Raphinha back into the starting line-up against Atletico but the hosts tried all their possible means is to shut him down throughout the match.
While Raphinha was marked down, teenage sensational winger Lamine Yamal took the the show on the other flank for the Catalan, he fired wide and also teeing up Jules Kounde, who bypassed Robin Le Normand with some neat nutmeg before lashing over the cross bar.
Yamal 17 played in Torres for Barcelona’s opening goal with a well-weighted assist, finished clinically by the former Manchester City forward, who has earned more minutes with his recent performances.
Simeone brought on Alexander Sorloth among three changes at the break after he scored three goals in the three previous meetings between these sides this season.
Perhaps convinced he would make it four in four, Sorloth fired narrowly wide early in the second half with Antoine Griezmann open and ready for a simple finish.
With Atletico ascendant, Flick brought on top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski for Torres, but the Polish veteran struggled to get involved.
With four minutes of stoppage time added on Atletico turned the screw, with Musso coming up for a late De Paul free-kick, but Barcelona held off the hosts to progress
