Barcelona Edge Albacete to Reach Copa del Rey Semi-Finals

Barcelona secured a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Albacete on Tuesday night, ending the lower-division side’s impressive cup run after a competitive quarter-final match at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.

The visitors controlled possession from the opening stages but found clear chances limited against a disciplined Albacete defence.

The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute when Lamine Yamal capitalised on a quick turnover in midfield, cutting inside from the right before finishing low past the goalkeeper.The goal gave Barcelona a narrow but deserved lead at the interval.

After halftime, Barcelona increased the tempo and doubled their advantage in the 56th minute. Ronald Araujo rose highest at a corner to head home, converting sustained pressure into a crucial second goal.

• Barcelona beat Albacete 2–1 to book Copa del Rey semi-final spot
• Yamal and Araujo goals send Barcelona into Copa del Rey last four
• Barcelona survive late scare to end Albacete’s Copa del Rey run

It was a significant moment for the defender, marking his first goal since returning to the starting lineup and providing breathing space for the favourites.

Albacete, however, continued to compete and refused to let the contest drift away. The hosts increased their attacking intent late in the match and were rewarded in the 87th minute when Javi Moreno headed in from close range, reducing the deficit and setting up a tense final spell.

The closing minutes saw Barcelona forced into deeper defensive positions as Albacete pushed for an equaliser. One late effort was cleared from the goalmouth, ensuring the Catalan side avoided extra time and completed the task within regulation.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick acknowledged the difficulty of the tie, noting that knockout matches demand concentration until the final whistle. While his team dominated possession, the narrow scoreline highlighted the importance of efficiency at both ends of the pitch.

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With this victory, Barcelona advance to the Copa del Rey last four once again, maintaining a strong recent record in the Spanish domestic cup. Attention now turns to the draw for the semi-finals, as Barcelona look to move one step closer to adding another trophy to their honours list.