Barcelona Advances to Copa del Rey Semifinals After Hard‑Fought Win Over Albacete

Barcelona booked their place in the Copa del Rey semifinals on Tuesday night after securing a tense 2–1 victory over second‑division side Albacete, ending the hosts’ remarkable giant‑killing run in this year’s competition. The win, powered by goals from Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo, keeps the defending champions on course for back‑to‑back titles while highlighting both their attacking quality and their vulnerability under late pressure.

A Breakthrough from Yamal Sets the Tone

Barcelona controlled much of the first half, but Albacete—who had already stunned Celta Vigo and Real Madrid in previous rounds—showed early resilience. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 39th minute when Marcus Rashford pressed high to win possession, feeding Frenkie de Jong, who slipped the ball to Lamine Yamal. The 18‑year‑old forward swept home a composed left‑footed finish, marking his first Copa del Rey goal of the season and continuing his impressive scoring form across competitions.

Yamal’s strike came after Barcelona had already threatened through Rashford and Dani Olmo, both of whom forced defensive interventions from the hosts. Albacete responded with two quick chances before the interval, but centre‑forward Antonio Puertas failed to convert either opportunity.

Araujo Doubles the Lead on His Return

Barcelona extended their advantage in the 56th minute when captain Ronald Araujo rose to head home from a Marcus Rashford corner. The goal was particularly meaningful for Araujo, who was making his first start since taking time away from football to address his mental health late last year. His powerful header provided Barcelona with a cushion and underscored his importance to the squad’s defensive and emotional backbone.

The visitors continued to push for a third, with Olmo and Ferran Torres both testing goalkeeper Raúl Lizoain. Yet Albacete refused to fold, buoyed by a home crowd that sensed another upset might be possible.

Albacete Fight Back in a Dramatic Finale

The match’s closing stages delivered the drama that has defined Albacete’s cup journey. In the 87th minute, Javi Moreno connected with a diving header from a set piece to pull a goal back, igniting belief across the stadium. Moments later, Ferran Torres appeared to restore Barcelona’s two‑goal lead, but VAR ruled his finish offside.

Albacete surged forward in stoppage time, laying siege to the Barcelona penalty area. Their closest moment came when Gerard Martín made a crucial goal‑line clearance to preserve the visitors’ lead. The final whistle ended Albacete’s fairytale run but confirmed their status as one of the tournament’s most compelling stories.

Barcelona’s Path Forward

The victory marks Barcelona’s 16th win in their last 17 matches across all competitions, with the only blemish a league defeat to Real Sociedad. The Catalan giants have now reached the Copa del Rey semifinals for the fourth consecutive season and remain in contention for silverware on multiple fronts under head coach Hansi Flick.

Upcoming quarterfinal fixtures will determine Barcelona’s next opponent, with Valencia hosting Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad visiting Alavés on Wednesday, followed by Real Betis against Atlético Madrid on Thursday. The semifinals will be played over two legs, with the final scheduled for April in Seville.

A Proud Exit for Albacete

Despite the defeat, Albacete leaves the competition with immense pride. Their run—highlighted by victories over Celta Vigo and Real Madrid—captured national attention and showcased the depth and unpredictability of Spanish football. As Javi Moreno reflected after the match, “Who would have imagined we could knock out Celta, Real Madrid, and put up a good fight against Barcelona?”