by Barcelona is up to the Copa del Rey final after beating a total of 5: 4 from Atletico Madrid.
Ferran Torres justified Hansi Flick’s decision to start him in front of the leading top scorer Robert Lewandowski by scoring the only goal in the night and set up an El Clasico showdown with Real Madrid in Sevilla next month.
After an exciting 4: 4 draw in the first leg and with the away destination rule no longer in the Copa del Rey, a tie for both sides would never be enough to find a penalty at night without a penalty shootout being necessary.
At night there had to be a winner and Barca immediately went to the task when Lamine Yamal broke off the offside trap, cut the ball back into the box, but Jose Maria Gimenez was in the right place at the right time to achieve timely release.
Then came a moment of controversy. After Cesar Azpilicueta was shown a yellow card for a foul via Raphhinha, referee José Luis Munuera Montero from Var was instructed to check the Tackle over the pitch-side monitor.
After doing this, the official held his initial decision and ensured that the experienced defender made a red card within the first 10 minutes.
The visitors broke the dead end shortly before half an hour when Yamal Exquisit Feran’s run behind the Atletico defense exported and he achieved a fine finish to continue his glowing form in front of the goal.
A second should have followed to Barcelona before half of half when Yamal and Raphinha both close, but with only one goal that separated the two sides, she set up a fascinating second half.
Diego Simeone reacted to a fairly low exhibition in the first half by taking a three -time half -time change, including the introduction of Alexander Sørloth, who had achieved in all three meetings against Barca before the game this season.
Sørloth wasted no time to feel his presence. After giving an guilty chance of taking the draw, he only had the ball in the back of the network, only to refuse to call out the closest from the closest to cut his celebrations.
Late goals had defined this game this season, but this time there should be no late drama when Barca stated to secure her place in the Copa Del Rey final in 2025, as the hopes of heights remain alive.
