Atlético Madrid 0-1 FC Barcelona: Seville, here we come!

For the first time since 2014, the Copa del Rey Final is going to be a Clásico! FC Barcelona have won at the Metropolitano for the second time in a fortnight and are through to the final of a competition they have already won a record 31 times. Here’s hoping that number 32 is just a few weeks away!

This game may not have had the thrills and spills of the first leg at the Estadi Olimpic that ended a remarkable 4-4, but it was still an extraordinarily tense encounter, where Barça offered a showcase in attacking football in the first half, which rewarded us with one goal but could easily have been more, and then offered a similar masterclass in brilliant defending in the second.

Torres opener

There’s such a confident air to Barça’s football right now, and when they took the lead on 27 minutes, nobody could argue that it wasn’t utterly deserved.

Atlético had started brightly, but failed to create any real danger, and were gradually spending more and more time in and around their own area as Barça relentlessly pressed in search of the opening goal.

Lamine Yamal was being Lamine Yamal, and it was from his feet that the goal emerged. A brilliant defence-splitting pass found Ferran Torres, starting ahead of Robert Lewandowski in this game, and ‘The Shark’ continued his excellent form in front of goal by slotting the ball home.

Barça were 1-0 up on the night. And more importantly, 5-4 up on aggregate.

Atlético rising

Barça should probably have been more than one ahead by the break. But Atlético, who were let off a potential red card for César Azpilicueta after just six minutes, brought all their famous physicality to the game. Thanks to last-ditch tackles and some fine saves from goalkeeper Juan Musso, they may have been outplayed in the first half, but they were still very much in the game.

Atlético did have more in the tank, and in the second half we saw it. Barça were no longer having everything their way and not for the first time this season, Alexander Sørloth scored against the Catalans. To every Culer’s relief, the offside flag was up. Phew!

Cup finalists

There was more heart than shape to what Atlético were doing, and in the second half a pragmatic Barça largely concentrated on keeping the red-and-white shirts in check, with just the occasional chance on the counter attack.

There were some very tired legs on both sides as Atlético desperately tried to find a late equaliser, largely hoping that somewhere in the Barça defence somebody was going to make a mistake.

Their hopes were in vain. Barça defended their way impeccably as the final minutes ticked down, and the final whistle was music to their ears.

Bring on April 26 at La Cartuja, Seville. Bring on Real Madrid!

We’re ready!