Atletico Madrid are back in the Copa del Rey final for the first time in 13 years — but only just. On a breathless night at Camp Nou, Diego Simeone’s side clung on for survival, nearly squandering a four-goal aggregate advantage against a relentless Barcelona.

Hansi Flick’s blueprint worked to near perfection for 70 minutes. The scoreboard read 3-0 on the night after a brace from Marc Bernal and a coolly converted penalty from Raphinha. The comeback felt inevitable. The momentum was suffocating. The stadium sensed history.

Barcelona were one goal away from forcing extra time — one strike short of completing what would have been a comeback for the ages.

Flick threw everything forward. In a bold late gamble, even Ronald Araujo was pushed into a makeshift attacking role. But the cost of that relentless siege was high: injuries to Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde dampened the hosts’ charge at the worst possible moment.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid offered almost nothing going forward. Their approach was clear — survive at all costs. And survive they did, though their defensive line creaked alarmingly under the dazzling pressure of Lamine Yamal, who tormented the visitors throughout the second half.

When the final whistle blew, Diego Simeone looked as though he had personally played every minute — exhausted, animated, emotionally drained. His team had endured footballing chaos and emerged battered but victorious.

2025-26, Spain - Copa del Rey

Barcelona - Atletico Madrid 3:0 (2:0)
Goals: Bernal, 29 (1:0); Raphinha, 45 (penalty) (2:0); Bernal, 72 (3:0)

Barcelona: García Jo.; Cancelo; Cubarsí; Martín G.; Kounde (Balde Al., 13; Araujo R., 71); Fermin Fermin (Rashford, 64); Bernal; Yamal; Raphinha; Torres F. (Olmo, 64); Pedri
Substitution: Balde Al. (from 13 till 71); Olmo (from 64); Rashford (from 64); Araujo R. (from 71)
Bench: Szczesny; Kochen; Casado M.; Bardagji
Yellow Cards: Olmo 66; Cancelo 67; Yamal 93

Atletico Madrid: Musso; Ruggeri; Hancko; Pubill; Cardoso Joao; Koke (Sørloth, 58); Llorente M.; Griezmann; Álvarez Jul. (Álex Baena, 69); Simeone G-o (Gimenez Jose, 76); Lookman (Molina N., 58)
Substitution: Molina N. (from 58); Sørloth (from 58); Álex Baena (from 69); Gimenez Jose (from 76)
Bench: Oblak; Lenglet; Le Normand; Vargas Ob.; Almada; Gonzalez N.; Mendoza R.
Yellow Cards: Álex Baena 95