After losing 4-0 in the semi-final first leg, Barcelona came close to a miracle in the return leg against Atletico. In the end, the Catalans only won 3-0 and were eliminated. The Rojiblancos advanced to the final with a black eye.
Atletico had won the first leg in Madrid 4-0, leading by that score at halftime after a sensational 45 minutes. After this drubbing, FC Barcelona and coach Hans-Dieter Flick needed a miracle to still make it to the cup final.
Bernal rewards Barcelona – Raphinha ice cold
Barcelona came out strong from the start, while Atlético sat deep and waited for counterattacking opportunities, but there were hardly any in the first half. The Catalans’ first chances came quickly, but Fermin (2nd minute), Raphinha (14th) and Ferran Torres (17th) were unable to give their side an early lead.
The hosts kept pushing, but Ferran Torres (22nd minute) and Lamine Yamal (24th minute) once again failed to convert their chances. The lead finally came in the 29th minute when Bernal only had to tap in after Lamine Yamal’s cross. Atletico offered very little in attack, with Lookman’s header being their best chance in the first half (45+2). Shortly before the break, Pubill stuck out his leg against Pedri in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty, which Raphinha coolly converted to make it 2-0 at halftime (45+5). The Catalans’ belief in a miracle remained alive.
Bernal scores again, but Barca are still out
After the break, the Catalans had the chance to make it 3-0, but Atletico keeper Musso saved Ferran Torres’ shot (55′). Barcelona then struggled to create chances, with the Rojiblancos defending well and keeping the ball away from their own goal for the most part. But then the hosts scored out of nowhere, with Bernal pushing a cross from Joao Cancelo over the line to complete his brace (72′).
Barca now needed just one more goal for a mega comeback. The Catalans naturally threw everything forward. And there was another good chance, but Martin’s shot went just over (90′). The visitors sat back, but survived the six minutes of added time and, despite a 3-0 defeat, advanced to the final for the first time in 13 years, where Bilbao or Real Sociedad now await.
What happens next? On Saturday (9 p.m.), Barcelona will face Bilbao in the Basque Country. On the same day, two and a half hours earlier, Atletico will host Real Sociedad.
