Comeback incomplete for Barca in Copa del Rey as Atletico Madrid hold on to reach final

FC Barcelona fell agonisingly short of a remarkable Copa del Rey comeback as they defeated Atlético de Madrid 3-0 on the night but were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate in their semi-final tie. 

Despite a stirring performance at Camp Nou, the Blaugrana could not find the crucial fourth goal that would have forced extra time, bringing their cup run to a dramatic end.

Teenage midfielder Marc Bernal was the standout performer, scoring twice in a display that underlined his growing importance to the side. 

Barcelona had dominated from the outset, but early wastefulness threatened to undermine their charge. 

Ferran Torres spurned two clear openings in the first half, firing off target when well placed as the hosts looked to overturn their first-leg deficit.

The breakthrough finally arrived after a moment of magic from Lamine Yamal. The winger skipped past two defenders and squared a low ball across the six-yard box, leaving Bernal with the simplest of finishes into an empty net.

The goal injected belief into the home crowd, while Atletico struggled to mount any meaningful attacking response.

Barcelona doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. 

Pedri surged into the penalty area and was brought down, allowing Raphinha to confidently convert from the spot with the final kick of the half. 

The third arrived when Joao Cancelo delivered a searching cross to the back post, where Bernal volleyed home to complete his brace. 

Wave after wave of Barcelona attacks followed, but clear chances proved elusive. Gerard Martin came closest to forcing extra time, only to see his effort sail over the bar as Atletico held firm under intense pressure.

Manager Hansi Flick had been forced into early changes due to injuries, with Alejandro Balde and Ronald Araujo both introduced, while Marcus Rashford and Dani Olmo also entered the fray as Barcelona chased the decisive goal. 

In the end, however, Atletico’s first-leg advantage proved decisive, and it will be Diego Simeone’s side who advance to the final.