MADRID: Barcelona will face arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after Ferran Torres secured a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid early this morning, qualifying 5-4 on aggregate.
Record 31-time winners Barca dominated the action at the Metropolitano Stadium after a 4-4 draw in the first semi-final and the defeat saw Diego Simeone’s Atletico fail to win any trophies this season.
On the other hand, the Catalan giants are chasing a potential four titles and are unbeaten throughout 2025, extending their record to 21 matches without a defeat.
Atletico were the last team to beat Barcelona, winning before Christmas to move top of La Liga, but they now trail Hansi Flick’s side by nine points with nine games remaining.
“We can’t relax, we have to keep believing and working hard, with humility and I’m sure good things will come,” Torres told Movistar.
“If the final is a big motivation, imagine playing against your arch-rivals.”
Madrid also eliminated Real Sociedad 5-4 on aggregate after a 4-4 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu early yesterday morning.
Teenage winger Lamine Yamal was a thorn in the side of the home side with his quick runs and the 17-year-old fed Torres, who finished with a clinical finish in the 27th minute to seal the win.