Barcelona produced one of their most dominant performances of the season, but it was Atletico Madrid who booked a place in the Copa del Rey final after surviving a ferocious second-leg comeback attempt at Camp Nou.
Needing four goals to overturn a humiliating first-leg defeat, Barcelona came out with urgency and intensity, pinning Atletico deep from the opening whistle.
Teenage midfielder Marc Bernal, handed a rare start, gave the hosts belief with a composed finish midway through the first half after a clever assist from Lamine Yamal.
The pressure told again just before the break when Raphinha calmly converted from the penalty spot, sending the Camp Nou into full voice and reigniting hopes of an improbable turnaround. Atletico, however, remained disciplined, absorbing waves of pressure while relying on their first-leg cushion to keep the tie alive.
Bernal struck again in the second half with a crisp volley to make it 3–0 on the night, leaving Barcelona agonisingly close to forcing extra time.
Despite relentless attacking play and late appeals, the decisive fourth goal never arrived, as Atletico’s defence held firm under intense scrutiny.
In the end, Diego Simeone’s side advanced 4–3 on aggregate, reaching the Copa del Rey final for the first time in over a decade. Barcelona were left to reflect on a stirring but ultimately insufficient performance, while Atletico now await either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao in next month’s showpiece final in Seville.
