Barça 2-1 Athletic Club: Through to the final!

Another final to look forward to for Jonatan Giráldez' side, as Barça won 2-1 against Athletic Club at the Johan Cruyff stadium to add to the 0-3 win in the first leg. The aim now is to lift the Copa de la Reina on 18 May after first overcoming opponents Real Sociedad.

One goal ahead at half-time

The result in the first leg at the San Mamés stadium may have been good, but this was treated like another final by the blaugranes. Mariona made the most of a defensive mix up by the visitors to open the scoring on 19 minutes (1-0) in a demonstration of their intent to ensure qualification for the final.

There were a couple of even better chances to open the scoring in the first half, first Claudia Pina with a customary powerful shot, before Salma broke away. Both came up against the Basque side's goalkeeper, who thwarted both efforts as part of a very good performance in the first half. 1-0 at the break.

Athletic give everything but Barça beam at the end

David Aznar's side worked hard in defence and attack in the second half, first managing to stymie the blaugrana attack by getting numbers in the midfield area, before putting everything into attack to try to turn the tie around in their favour, with a goal by Pinedo on 63 minutes providing the fruit for their labour.

Barça are a tough nut to crack, however, and despite Athletic managing to control the game for a spell, the goal that gave piece of mind came in the 72nd minute, Patri making the most of a superb layoff by Mariona to make it 2-1 and qualification for the final was in sight.

Further chances for a third goal came as the game entered the closing stages, the ball even going in the net only to be ruled out for offside. Ultimately the 2-1 win was enough to see the blaugranes into the 2024 Copa de la Reina final against Real Sociedad on 18 May.

GAME STATS

BARÇA 2 
ATHLETIC CLUB 1

Barça: Paños, Pina (Alexia, min. 66), Paralluelo (Brugts, min. 78), Marta, Mariona (Vicky, min. 78), Patri, Aitana, Bronze (Rolfo, min. 66), Bruna (Dragoni, min. 66), O. Batlle and Engen

Athletic Club: Quiñones, Bibi, Maddi, Landaluze (Zubieta (min. 81), Nevado (Garazi, min. 56), Itxaso (Oguiza, min. 56), Elexpuru, Pinedo, Mariana, Zugasti (Amezaga, min. 78) and Azkona (Marta, min. 56)

Goals: 1-0, Mariona (min. 19); 1-1, Pinedo (min. 63); 2-1, Patri (min. 72)

Referee: Zulema González. Yellow card shown to Itxaso and Esmee Brugts