Diego Simeone’s side won the semi-finals 4-3 on aggregate and reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2013.
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Published March 3, 2026
Atlético Madrid lost to Barcelona 3-0 in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, but advanced to the final with a 4-3 aggregate victory.
The Spanish champions almost completed a comeback on Tuesday after losing 4-0 in the first leg in early February, but they fell just short at Camp Nou.
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18-year-old Marc Bernal scored twice to set a record 32 wins and Rafinha converted a penalty as Barcelona tried in vain to regain the lead over Diego Simeone’s side.
Atlético fought hard in the final stages to advance to the final for the first time since 2013.
They will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
Barcelona started strong and Fermin López’s long-range shot went just over the bar to set the tone as Hansi Flick’s side gave their all for a potential comeback.
Jules Kounde was forced off with an injury early on, causing an early setback. With Atlético under threat of a counterattack, Antoine Griezmann was left close to home against his former club.
Ferran Torres fired a shot wide of the target and Atlético goalkeeper Juan Musso saved it low at his near post to give Barcelona the lead.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal burst in front of goal, Bernal scored from close range and the 18-year-old converted another.
Atlético’s Ademola Lookman’s header went just wide, a mistake Barça regretted as they doubled their advantage before the interval.
Spain midfielder Pedri was tripped by Marc Pouvil in the box and Rafinha sent Musso the other way from his spot.
Joao Cancelo almost had a third goal, but his shot was deflected away by Musso with all his might, leaving Diego Simeone’s side against the ropes.
Bernal set up a frenetic finale, volleying home Cancelo’s swirling cross to bring Barça within one goal of the crumbling Rojiblancos.
Coach Flick, as he had called out to his team before the game, placed centre-back Ronald Araujo up front in the final stages of the match, hoping to “make the impossible possible” by scoring a fourth goal.
As Barca turned the screw, Gerard Martín hit the ball just over the bar and the fans cheered their team on throughout six minutes of stoppage time.
The Rojiblancos edged past Barça and qualified for the Seville final on April 18th.
Musso said getting to the finals is the most important thing.
“Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world, but we won,” he said after the match.
“We will go to the final. We will do our best to win the Copa del Rey.”
Meanwhile, Rafinha said he was proud of his teammates, even if they didn’t come one step closer.
“The fans could see that we gave it our all. You have to understand. They were a team that defended (well) and did what they had to do…We did everything we could, but we came up a little short,” he said.
“What happened today is in the past. We wanted to reach the final, but it just happened…For now we will aim for La Liga and the Champions League (title).”
