Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid to set up Clasico Copa del Rey final

Barcelona will face rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after Ferran Torres secured them a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, progressing 5-4 on aggregate from the semi-final tie.

Record 31-time winners Barcelona had the better of the clash at the Metropolitano stadium after the wild 4-4 first leg draw, and defeat leaves Diego Simeone’s Atletico with little to play for in the rest of the season.

By contrast the Catalans are on the hunt for a potential quadruple and are unbeaten in 2025, stretching their run to 21 games without defeat.

Atletico were the last team to triumph against Barcelona, winning before Christmas to go top of LaLiga, but they now trail Hansi Flick’s team by nine points with nine matches remaining.

Torres said: “We can’t relax, we have to keep believing and working, with humility and I’m sure good things will come.

“If a final is already a huge motivation, imagine playing against your most direct rival.”

Madrid ousted Real Sociedad 5-4 on aggregate as well after a 4-4 draw on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Flick brought winger Raphinha back into Barcelona’s starting line-up and the hosts tried to shut him down through fair means or foul.

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Cesar Azpilicueta was booked for one tackle, surviving a VAR review for a potential red card, while Rodrigo de Paul was also cautioned for going in hard on the Brazilian.

Teenage winger Lamine Yamal ran the show on the other flank for Barcelona, firing wide and teeing up Jules Kounde, who bypassed Robin Le Normand with some neat juggling before lashing over.

The 17-year-old played in Torres for Barcelona’s opener with a well-weighted pass, finished clinically by the former Manchester City forward, who has earned more minutes with his recent performances.

Atletico were dumped out of the Champions League on penalties by rivals Real Madrid in the last 16 and the Copa represented their most realistic chance of silverware this season.

Atletico defender Jose Gimenez said: “We have to thank the fans who supported us, we’re as sad as them.

“We have to lift up our heads, finish the season in the best way possible and carry on.

“We have to accept the reality, with rational thinking and knowing we’re a long way off (the top of LaLiga), but we’ll try until the end.”

The Star