Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araújo were on target as Barcelona edged past Albacete 2–1 to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals in a tense quarter-final clash on Tuesday.
The 32-time record cup winners were stretched to the limit by their second-division hosts, who had stunned Real Madrid in the previous round, and were forced to withstand a late surge before sealing victory.
Teenage sensation Yamal gave Barcelona the lead just before half-time, while Araújo doubled the advantage early in the second half, heading home on his first start since returning from a month-long mental health break late last year.
Despite Barcelona’s early control, Albacete grew in confidence in the final half-hour and set up a nervy finish when Javi Moreno headed home from a free-kick three minutes from time.
Hansi Flick’s side dominated possession in the opening period but struggled to break down a compact Albacete defence. Marcus Rashford missed two early chances before the hosts settled into a deep defensive shape.
Barcelona eventually found the breakthrough in the 39th minute. Rashford pressed high to win possession, and Frenkie de Jong’s pass rolled into Yamal’s path, allowing the 18-year-old to curl a composed finish into the net.
At the other end, Antonio Puertas threatened after breaking through the defence but took a heavy touch, allowing goalkeeper Joan Garcia to gather the ball. Garcia later provided a moment of comic relief by accidentally conceding a corner while walking off the pitch with the ball to pat Araújo on the head.
Barcelona had chances to extend their lead after the break. Dani Olmo was denied when Rashford teed him up, while Puertas and Jefte Betancor went close for Albacete as the hosts pressed forward.
Araújo made it 2–0 shortly after the restart, but Albacete refused to fold. Puertas saw a late effort ruled out for offside, before Moreno finally beat Garcia with a powerful header in the 87th minute.
The home side pushed for an equaliser in stoppage time, forcing Barcelona into desperate defending. Gerard Martín cleared Fran Gámez’s effort off the line as the visitors held on through a tense finale to secure their place in the last four.
Elsewhere in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, Valencia host Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad travel to face Alavés on Wednesday, while Atlético Madrid visit Real Betis on Thursday.
AFP
