Barcelona booked their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey after grinding out a tense 2-1 victory over Albacete at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.
Despite facing determined resistance from the second-division hosts, Barça showed their class when it mattered, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and returning defender Ronald Araújo providing the decisive goals.
Yamal Continues His Golden Run
Barcelona started brightly and were rewarded in the 39th minute through 18-year-old Yamal, who once again proved why he is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.
After tormenting Albacete’s full-backs throughout the first half, Yamal received a perfectly weighted pass from Marcus Rashford and calmly finished to give Barça the lead. It was his fourth consecutive game with a goal, underlining his growing importance in the squad.
Araujo Marks Return with a Goal
Barça doubled their advantage shortly after the break when Ronald Araújo marked his return from injury in style.
The Uruguayan defender rose highest from a corner in the 56th minute, powering a header into the net to make it 2-0. It was a dream moment for Araújo, who later revealed that his teammates told him he “deserved it” after a long spell on the sidelines.
Albacete Fight Back Late
To their credit, Albacete refused to go quietly. The hosts pulled one back in the 87th minute through Juan Moreno, setting up a nervy finale for the holders.
The home crowd pushed their team forward in the closing minutes, but Barcelona managed the game well, slowing the tempo and seeing out the result to secure their place in the last four.
Rashford’s Impact Grows
Loan star Marcus Rashford was once again influential for Barcelona, providing the assist for Yamal’s opener and continuing an impressive season.
The English forward now boasts 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, strengthening speculation about a potential permanent move despite Barcelona’s well-documented financial constraints.
Barcelona’s Title Defence Rolls On
As reigning champions, Barcelona remain firmly on course to defend their Copa del Rey crown. With young stars delivering consistently and experienced leaders like Araújo returning at the right time, the Catalan giants look well equipped for another deep cup run.
The semifinal draw now awaits, but one thing is clear: Barcelona are peaking at the perfect moment in the season.
Final Word
This was not a flashy performance, but it was a professional one. Barcelona showed resilience, maturity, and quality when it counted. With Yamal in unstoppable form and key players returning, Barça’s pursuit of domestic silverware is very much alive.
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