Barcelona noticed their Copa del Rey title defence and hopes of a treble come to an finish as their effort at a exceptional turnaround from the primary leg defeat to Atletico Madrid fell brief, with a 3-0 win at Camp Nou not sufficient.
The Blaugrana had been blown away 4-0 by Diego Simeone’s males within the first leg in Madrid, leaving them want to supply a repeat of Barca’s Champions League heroics of 2017, after they beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 within the second leg to overturn a four-goal deficit and progress.
For a very long time, it seemed as if a repeat of ‘La Remontada’ was on the playing cards, with two objectives from Marc Bernal, sandwiched by a Raphinha penalty, placing them on the cusp of forcing additional time.
But the ultimate 18 minutes of regular time after Bernal’s second, plus the six minutes of further time, didn’t yield the important thing purpose for Barca, as Atleti clung on to arrange a ultimate with both Actual Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona make quick begin
Barcelona unsurprisingly began quick, with Fermin Lopez denied by Juan Musso, who got here to his aspect’s support once more to thwart Ferran Torres after Raphinha had fired into the side-netting.
Antoine Griezmann wasted a transparent probability on the different finish when he shot straight at Joan Garcia, and Atletico had been punished for his profligacy by Bernal, whose opener got here after a surprising help from Lamine Yamal.
After Musso had once more pissed off Torres, Yamal gained possession on the left hand aspect of the realm following the ensuing nook. He had two defenders for firm, however stunningly twisted his well past them earlier than squaring for Bernal to faucet in.
Raphinha then went shut with a far-post header, however Ademola Lookman was responsible of a much more egregious miss for Atleti as he skewed a header extensive from Marcos Llorente’s glorious right-wing cross.
Once more, Atletico paid the value as Pedri was felled within the penalty space by Marc Pubill, permitting Raphinha to step up and ship Musso the flawed means, Barca doubling their lead on the stroke of half-time.
Remontada bid falls brief
Musso made two extra big saves early within the second half to maintain out efforts from Joao Cancelo and Bernal, although he might do nothing to forestall the latter from doubling his tally from the previous’s deep cross.
Replays steered Bernal had come again from an offside place, however the purpose was allowed to face.
But Atletico’s rearguard motion proved more practical thereafter and, although Bernal curled an opportunity for a hat-trick to pressure extra-time over the crossbar, Musso’s purpose was largely untroubled as Barca noticed their valiant push to finish the comeback and preserve their treble hopes alive finish in disappointment.
Atletico close to finish to 13-year wait
Atletico haven’t gained the Copa since doing so within the 2012-13 season, a yr earlier than they shocked LaLiga by breaking Barca and Actual Madrid’s duopoly on the title.
However, after surviving the Barca onslaught, they’ll now be the favourites to elevate the trophy.
Sociedad maintain a slim 1-0 lead over their Basque rivals following the primary leg at San Mames. Nevertheless, with the 2 sides stage on factors in LaLiga, the tie can very a lot be thought-about within the stability.
Atletico, who’re third in LaLiga, might be anticipated to prevail no matter which aspect comes by the second semi-final.
Barcelona will face Athletic on Saturday as they intention to extend their four-point lead over Madrid on the high of LaLiga, earlier than travelling to Newcastle United for the primary leg of their Champions League last-16 tie subsequent Tuesday.
