In a thrilling encounter in the Copa del Rey, FC Barcelona demonstrated their resilience by overcoming a spirited Albacete, who had previously stunned top-tier teams. With Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo finding the net, Barcelona not only advanced to the semifinals but also showcased the depth of talent in their squad, contributing to an exciting narrative in Spanish football’s prestigious cup competition.
Barcelona halted Albacete’s impressive run in the Copa del Rey with a hard-fought 2-1 victory on Tuesday, securing the first semifinal spot while facing a late resurgence from the second-division side. Lamine Yamal struck first in the 39th minute, followed by a goal from captain Ronald Araujo in the second half, as Barcelona aimed to defend their title from the previous year.
Albacete, based in the Spanish second division, had already made headlines by defeating Celta Vigo and Real Madrid in earlier rounds. They fought valiantly and were rewarded with a goal from Javier Moreno in the 87th minute, igniting hopes for an upset as they nearly leveled the match during stoppage time, only to see their efforts cleared off the line by Barcelona’s defense.
The opening goal came when Marcus Rashford, having stolen the ball, set up Frenkie de Jong, who assisted a splendid left-foot finish by Yamal. Despite Rashford missing an early opportunity, Barcelona’s attacking prowess soon became evident as they maintained pressure with Olmo’s volley deflected for a corner before Yamal’s strike.
Before halftime, Albacete had two golden chances to equalize, with their center forward Antonio Puertas unable to capitalize on either opportunity, reflecting the competitive nature of the game. Barcelona’s fortunes shifted as they extended their lead nine minutes after the break, with Araujo heading home in his first start since taking a mental health break in December.
Albacete’s attempts to make a comeback included a close-range shot missed by Jefte Betancor, who failed to turn the tide after entering as a substitute. However, Moreno’s diving header from a free kick added to the scoreboard, setting a frantic finale in motion where Ferran Torres thought he secured Barcelona’s third goal, only for it to be ruled offside.
The match concluded with a spirited Albacete laying siege to the Barcelona goal, forcing a dramatic clearance from Gerard Martin and ensuring that this encounter would be remembered for the resilience displayed by both teams. Looking ahead, Deportivo Alaves will face Real Sociedad and Valencia will host Athletic Bilbao in the remaining Copa del Rey quarterfinals, while Atletico Madrid is set to visit Real Betis on Thursday.
Barcelona, who triumphed in last year’s cup final after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Madrid, remains in contention to defend their title and showcase the bright future of Spanish football.
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