Atletico Endure Barcelona Thrashing Yet Advance to Copa del Rey Final
Atletico Madrid suffered a 3-0 loss in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona on Tuesday but managed to qualify for the final with a 4-3 aggregate triumph.
Barcelona, the Spanish title holders, mounted a near miraculous recovery attempt following their 4-0 setback in the first leg back in early February, yet came up short at Camp Nou.
Emerging talent Marc Bernal struck twice for the 32-time competition victors, while Raphinha converted from the penalty spot as Barcelona pushed hard to overturn Atletico's advantage under Diego Simeone.
Atletico, who battled fiercely to maintain their lead in the closing moments, made it back to the final for the first time since 2013.
Upcoming opponents will be either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao, set to clash on Wednesday in the return leg of their semi-final.
"We realised it was going to be a challenging match, overturning a 4-0 deficit is tough. Still, Im proud of the squad, we poured our hearts into it," Raphinha shared with Movistar.
"Were gutted as we aimed for the final spot, and based on our performance, we earned it, but credit to Atletico, a solid outfit who protected their edge effectively."
Atletico keeper Juan Musso acknowledged the intense pressure but expressed joy at progressing.
"Were envisioning cup success. This might not have been our finest outing, we shone more in the initial match," Musso said to Movistar.
"In the last 15 minutes, we displayed our grit, everything favoured them, their home ground, their supporters, they just needed another strike, but we endured the strain."
Barcelona started aggressively, with Fermin Lopez sending a long shot just above the crossbar, signalling their all-out pursuit of a turnaround under Hansi Flick.
An early blow came when Jules Kounde limped off injured shortly into the game. Antoine Griezmann nearly scored versus his old club during Atleticos swift breaks.
Ferran Torres missed the target and saw another effort repelled low by Musso at the near upright before Barcelona opened the scoring.
Prodigy Lamine Yamal cut the ball back for Bernal to slot it in from near the goal line, one teenager assisting another.
Ademola Lookman nodded just wide for Atletico and later regretted it as Barcelona extended their lead prior to half-time.
Spain international Pedri was brought down inside the area by Marc Pubill, allowing Raphinha to deceive Musso from 12 yards.
Atletico Resist the Pressure
Joao Cancelo came within inches of a third, his attempt pushed aside by a diving Musso, leaving Simeones men under severe threat.
Bernal ignited a tense finish by smashing in a volley off Cancelos dipping delivery, bringing Barcelona to within a single goal of the faltering Atletico.
Flick deployed defender Ronald Araujo as a forward in the dying embers, hunting a fourth to "turn the tide from impossible to real", echoing his pre-match rallying cry.
Gerard Martin blasted over from distance as Barcelona intensified their assault, backed by fervent home support across six added minutes.
Atletico repelled the onslaught from Barcelona and secured their berth in the Seville showdown on April 18.