Fotmob: Atletico advance to Copa del Rey final despite 3-0 loss to Barcelona
Atletico Madrid reached the Copa del Rey final on aggregate despite losing 3-0 to Barcelona Tuesday — fotmob captures the tight 4-3 overall margin after Atletico’s 4-0 first-leg win. The tie ended with Atletico moving into their first final in 13 years. The second semifinal second leg remains to be decided between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club Wednesday (ET).
Fotmob: The tie and decisive moments
Atletico’s 4-0 advantage from the first leg proved decisive after Barcelona fought back to win the second leg 3-0, leaving the overall aggregate at 4-3. Barcelona’s comeback included goals from Marc Bernal in the 29th minute, a Raphinha penalty in first-half stoppage time and Bernal again in the 72nd minute, but the hosts fell one goal short of overturning the deficit. Atletico’s earlier four-goal burst at the Metropolitano remains the match-turning factor that sent them through to the final.
Immediate reactions
Raphinha, Barcelona forward, said: “We leave disappointed because we wanted to be in the final, and I think we deserved it after the game that we played. ” His remarks underscored Barcelona’s urgency after being stunned in the first leg.
Juan Musso, Atlético goalkeeper, said: “Maybe it wasn’t our best match, but it was a game of 180 minutes. They had everything going their way but we suffered when we had to suffer. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but in the end we made it to the final. ” Musso framed the result as the product of two legs rather than a single night.
Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid coach, used the postmatch press conference to send a pointed message to Hansi Flick, praising Barcelona’s level and expressing the hope of a future Champions League rematch: “I told Hansi Flick that his Barça played brilliantly, that it’s a top-level team. I also told him I hope we meet again in the Champions League quarter-finals. ”
Injuries, standings and the path forward
Barcelona lost defender Jules Koundé to injury 13 minutes into the match and replaced him with Alejandro Balde, who later asked to be substituted as well. Forward Robert Lewandowski missed the match because of an injury. Barcelona entered the tie as defending Copa champion and currently lead the Spanish league by four points over second place; Atletico sit third, 13 points behind Barcelona. Both clubs remain in the Champions League round of 16.
What’s next
Atletico will play the Copa del Rey final after advancing 4-3 on aggregate; their next opponent will be the winner of the Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club semifinal. The final is scheduled for April 18 (ET). Expect focus to shift quickly back to domestic league fixtures and the Champions League round of 16 for both clubs, with attention on squad fitness and available personnel after the injuries sustained in this tie. Fans tracking updates on match metrics and narratives will continue to reference fotmob as the discussion moves from the semifinal drama to final preparations.
