- MADRID — FC Barcelona won 1-0 away to Atletico Madrid to secure a Copa del
Rey final spot against Real Madrid.
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- For the first time since 2014, the Copa del Rey Final is
going to be a Clasico as Barcelona have won at the Metropolitano for the second
time in a fortnight and are through to the final of a competition they have
already won a record 31 times.
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- Ferran Torres' first-half goal sealed Barca's spot in the
Cup final in a game where Barca dominated the first 45 minutes before Atletico
took control after the break, reports Xinhua.
Also read: Real Madrid squeeze past Real Sociedad for Copa del Rey final spot
- Barca coach Hansi Flick surprised many with his starting
lineup, fielding Torres ahead of top scorer Robert Lewandowski, while Fermin
Lopez started instead of Gavi, who replaced the injured Dani Olmo.
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- Atletico coach Diego Simeone made no surprises, with Juan
Musso starting in goal, as he has throughout the Cup season.
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- Following a first leg that produced eight goals, a
high-octane start to the game was expected, and Lamine Yamal almost set up
Torres in the opening minute.
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- Atletico defender Cesar Azpilicueta survived a VAR check
after eight minutes following a late studs-up challenge on Raphinha. When
Rodrigo De Paul was also booked for a late tackle on the Brazilian, tensions
threatened to boil over.
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- Yamal curled a shot just wide for Barca as the visitors
began to dominate possession in Atletico's half. It came as no surprise when
Torres opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Yamal delivered a perfect through
ball, and Torres' first-time finish guided the ball past Musso.
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- Yamal and Raphinha nearly added a second during a scramble
in the penalty area, while Atletico's only significant chance was a Robin Le
Normand header from a free kick that went over the bar.
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- Atletico coach Diego Simeone made a triple substitution at
halftime, bringing on Javi Galan, Alexander Sorloth, and Clement Lenglet. These
changes injected energy into his side.
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- Sorloth fired into the side netting when he should have hit
the target, and Lenglet headed over from a corner.
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- Barca appeared disjointed and struggled to string passes
together as Atletico disrupted their passing game. The momentum shifted, and it
was Atletico's turn to apply pressure to the visiting team's goal.
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- However, despite Atletico's efforts, the Barca defense,
well-organized by Inigo Martinez and Ronald Araujo, prevented goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczesny from being forced into a difficult save.
