SOCCER: Atletico reach Copa del Rey final despite 3-0 loss at Barcelona

BARCELONA – Atletico Madrid reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2013, overcoming a 3-0 defeat by Barcelona on Tuesday to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory, thanks to their 4-0 first-leg win in Madrid in a thrilling semi-final.

Barcelona came close to an improbable comeback after last month’s heavy defeat, with 18-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal, starting in place of the injured Frenkie De Jong, scoring in each half. Raphinha also converted a penalty after Pedri was fouled.

“We’re in the final, that’s what matters,” Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso told Movistar Plus. “We knew it could be difficult. They’re one of the best teams in the world, but we got through because we scored more goals overall. That’s what counts.”

The hosts dominated from the kickoff, knowing they needed at least four goals to force extra time, and kept Diego Simeone’s side pinned deep in their own half.

Lamine Yamal sparked the revival in the 30th minute, gliding past two defenders from a short corner before sending a low cross for Bernal to convert from close range.

Atletico nearly eased the pressure when Ademola Lookman headed narrowly wide from a Marcos Llorente cross. Barcelona doubled their lead shortly after when defender Marc Pubill fouled Pedri inside the box in first-half stoppage time, allowing Raphinha to send the penalty to the left as Musso dived the other way.

After the break, Musso kept Atletico afloat, making a one-handed save to deny Pedri in the 54th minute, stopping Bernal from the edge of the area, and turning away two attempts from Yamal.

Barcelona’s third goal came in the 72nd minute when Bernal volleyed home from a Joao Cancelo cross, leaving the hosts just one goal short of forcing extra time.

Atletico held on to advance and will face the winner of Wednesday’s other semi-final between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, with Sociedad holding a 1-0 first-leg advantage.

“A game like this makes you feel really proud of your team,” Barcelona captain Raphinha told Movistar Plus. “If we continue playing like this, we’ll have a spectacular end to the season. I’m sure the fans are proud too, as shown by their reaction at the end of the match. We also know that we’re up against a team that defends well.”

-Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis and Christian Radnedge/Reuters