Atletico Madrid reach Copa del Rey final despite 3-0 loss at Barcelona

Atletico Madrid have reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2013 despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the second leg of their semifinal.

Barcelona launched a fierce comeback attempt at Camp Nou but fell just short as Atletico clung on for a 4-3 aggregate victory.

The record 32-time Copa del Rey winners almost produced one of the great comebacks after trailing 4-0 from the first leg in February. Hansi Flick’s side came out flying, with Fermin Lopez going close early. They suffered a setback when Jules Kounde went off injured in the opening stages.

Atletico threatened on the counter through Antoine Griezmann. However, two teenagers combined for the opener as Lamine Yamal set up Marc Bernal to finish from close range.

Before the interval, Raphinha converted a penalty after Pedri was fouled in the box. After halftime, Bernal scored his second goal with a volley from Joao Cancelo’s cross, sending the Camp Nou crowd into frenzy and bringing Barcelona within one goal of extra time.

Flick threw caution to the wind by pushing centre-back Ronald Araujo forward in the closing stages.

Despite six minutes of stoppage time and relentless pressure, Diego Simeone’s disciplined side held firm to book their spot in the final. They will now face the winner of Real Sociedad versus Athletic Bilbao on 18 April in Seville.

Juan Musso, the Atletico goalkeeper, said getting to the final was what mattered most.

“Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world, but we got through. We are going to the final; we will give our everything and get the Copa del Rey,” he said.

Raphinha admitted his team gave everything but just fell short.