Barcelona Survive Late Scare to Book Copa del Rey Semi-Final Spot
Barcelona navigated a tense and challenging encounter to secure a 2-1 victory over Albacete on Tuesday, advancing to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. The record 32-time cup winners faced a stern test from their second-division opponents, who had previously eliminated Real Madrid, but goals from Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo ultimately proved sufficient for the Catalan giants.
A Hard-Fought Victory for the Blaugrana
The match was a tightly contested affair from the outset, with Barcelona struggling to break down a resilient Albacete defense. The hosts created several opportunities, particularly in the final half-hour, keeping the pressure on Hansi Flick's side until the very end. Javi Moreno's late header in the 87th minute set up a nervy finish, but Barcelona held on to claim their place in the last four.
Ronald Araujo, making his first start after a month-long mental health break, expressed his joy at returning to action. "I'm very happy to start again; it was an important step... a hug to the coach, he helped me a lot," the defender told Barcelona's media channel. He also acknowledged the inherent tension of cup competitions, stating, "The last few minutes... it's normal, they got a goal, the cup is like this."
Key Moments and Missed Opportunities
Barcelona dominated possession in the first half but found clear-cut chances hard to come by. The breakthrough arrived just before halftime when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal curled home a fine finish after Frenkie de Jong's pass found its way to him. Early in the second half, Araujo doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner, seemingly putting the game beyond Albacete's reach.
However, the holders were guilty of spurning several excellent opportunities to extend their advantage, a recurring issue noted by coach Hansi Flick. "It was a tough match at the end, it was very hard. We could have made it much easier for ourselves, we missed many chances, but I think also we deserved to win," Flick remarked in his post-match comments. He added, "I'm happy, proud of the team and we're in the semi-finals, and that's the best thing."
Albacete's Valiant Effort Falls Short
Albacete, buoyed by their stunning victory over Real Madrid in the previous round, refused to surrender. They created several promising openings, with Antonio Puertas and Jefte Betancor coming close to scoring. Puertas even had a goal disallowed for offside in the closing stages, adding to the drama. Moreno's late header provided a glimmer of hope, but Barcelona's defense, led by Gerard Martin who cleared a late effort off the line, stood firm during five minutes of stoppage time.
Flick highlighted the significance of Araujo's goal on his return, noting, "He scored a very important goal for us, it could help him to get more confidence and believe in himself." The German coach also emphasized the need for improvement, stating, "We have to finish with more conviction."
Looking Ahead to the Semi-Finals
With this victory, Barcelona joins the semi-final lineup of the Copa del Rey. The other quarter-final fixtures see Valencia host Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad visit Alaves on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid travel to face Real Betis on Thursday. The path to the final remains open, but Barcelona will need to address their profligacy in front of goal if they are to lift the trophy for a 33rd time.
