FC Barcelona’s Effort Falls Short
“We are disappointed because we wanted to be in the final, and I think we deserved it from the game we played, but we have to respect Atletico too, a great team and they defended what they had and did well,” said Raphinha after FC Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.
Despite the strong performance at Camp Nou on March 3, 2026, Barcelona’s aggregate loss of 4-3 from the tie meant they would not advance to the final. Marc Bernal was a standout player, scoring two goals, while Raphinha added a penalty to the scoreline.
Barcelona aimed to overturn a significant four-goal deficit from the first leg, where they suffered a 4-0 defeat. The team had high hopes of reaching the final for the second consecutive year, but their efforts fell short.
In front of a crowd of 45,399 at Camp Nou, Barcelona showcased their determination, with Lamine Yamal assisting Bernal’s first goal. However, the match was not without its challenges; defender Jules Kounde was substituted in the first half due to injury, impacting the team’s defensive stability.
Atlético Madrid, under the management of Diego Simeone, successfully held onto their aggregate lead, marking their first Copa del Rey final appearance since 2013. This victory was a significant achievement for the team, which has been striving for success in domestic competitions.
Raphinha’s sentiments echoed the disappointment felt throughout the Barcelona camp, as they reflected on their performance in the semi-final. “We are dreaming of winning the cup. Maybe it wasn’t our best game, we were better in the first leg,” said Juan Musso, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of the two legs.
As the dust settles on this semi-final clash, Barcelona will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming fixtures, while Atlético Madrid will prepare for their long-awaited final appearance.