Barcelona navigated a challenging Copa del Rey quarter-final encounter against second division side Albacete on Tuesday, securing a 2-1 victory to book their place in the semi-finals. The match, which saw moments of brilliance and late drama, highlighted the unpredictable nature of the historic Spanish cup competition.
Clinical Finishing and Defensive Resilience
The Catalan giants took control of the tie with two well-taken goals. Young sensation Lamine Yamal broke the deadlock just before half-time, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack initiated by Marcus Rashford. Rashford won possession in midfield, allowing Frenkie de Jong to deliver a precise pass to Yamal, who made no mistake with his finish.
Early in the second half, Ronald Araujo doubled Barcelona's advantage. The Uruguayan defender, making his first start after a month-long absence from the team, rose highest to powerfully head home a corner delivered by Rashford. This marked a triumphant return for Araujo, who expressed his gratitude towards coach Hansi Flick for his support during the recovery period.
Albacete's Valiant Fightback
Despite being dominated for large periods, Albacete demonstrated why they had previously eliminated Real Madrid from the competition. The home side created several threatening moments, with Antonio Puertas coming close before the interval, only to be denied by goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
As the match entered its final stages, Albacete intensified their pressure. A goal by Puertas was correctly disallowed for offside, but Javi Moreno gave the hosts a lifeline in the 87th minute. Moreno expertly guided a header from Jose Lazo's free-kick into the net, setting up a nervy finale for the 32-time cup winners.
Barcelona's defense, however, held firm during stoppage time. A crucial goal-line clearance by Gerard Martin preserved their slender lead, ensuring they progressed to the next round without the need for extra time.
Post-Match Reflections
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick acknowledged his team's mixed performance in his post-match comments. "It was a tough match at the end, it was very hard. We could have made it much easier for ourselves, we missed many chances, but I think also we deserved to win," said the German tactician. He specifically praised Araujo's contribution, noting that the defender's goal could boost his confidence significantly.
Ronald Araujo shared his personal satisfaction with the outcome. "I'm very happy to start again, it was an important step... a hug to the coach, he helped me a lot," he told Barcelona's media channel. Regarding the tense finish, Araujo added, "The last few minutes... it's normal, they got a goal, the cup is like this."
Looking Ahead in the Competition
With this victory, Barcelona advance to the Copa del Rey semi-finals, joining the other quarter-final winners. The remaining last-eight fixtures see Valencia host Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad visit Alaves on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid travel to face Real Betis on Thursday. The draw for the semi-finals will follow the completion of these matches.
This result underscores Barcelona's determination to add another Copa del Rey title to their illustrious history, though the performance against a resilient Albacete side serves as a reminder that no opponent can be taken lightly in this prestigious tournament.
