Barcelona Scrapes Past Albacete in Copa Thriller
Barcelona survived a fierce test in Albacete, narrowly booking their spot in the Copa del Rey semifinals with a 2-1 victory. It was a match that showcased the grit of the underdogs and the resilience of the Catalan giants, but not without moments that had fans holding their breath.
The game began with Albacete defending with remarkable organization, determined to extend their impressive Copa run that had already seen them eliminate Celta and Real Madrid. Barcelona, missing key players like Pedri and Raphinha, rotated their squad but still leaned heavily on their star winger Lamine Yamal. And Yamal did not disappoint. At the 38th minute, he broke the deadlock with a precise strike, capitalizing on Frenkie de Jong’s aggressive press and a clever setup from Marcus Rashford. That goal set the tone, but it certainly didn’t make things easy for the visitors.
Barcelona’s first half was patchy. João Cancelo struggled defensively, flirting with yellow cards and leaving gaps that Albacete tried to exploit. Rashford, in contrast, was energetic but wasteful in front of goal, missing a clear one-on-one opportunity early on. Albacete’s tactical discipline kept the game competitive, even after an early forced substitution for a key defender due to injury.
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The second half brought more drama. Ronald Araújo returned to the starting lineup and celebrated by heading in Barcelona’s second goal at the 55th minute from a Rashford corner. For a moment, it looked like Barcelona might relax—but Albacete refused to fold. Jefté Betancor, the hero against Real Madrid, came off the bench and tested Barcelona’s defense repeatedly, creating real tension late in the game.
The match reached its climax in the final minutes. Javi Moreno scored for Albacete in the 86th, reducing the deficit and sending waves of anxiety through the Barcelona ranks. A late intervention by Gerard Martín, who cleared a ball off the line, preserved the narrow win and confirmed Barcelona’s passage to the semifinals.
This match highlights two critical points. First, Barcelona remains heavily reliant on Lamine Yamal’s brilliance, a reminder that even elite squads need standout performances to overcome determined lower-tier teams. Second, Albacete’s campaign, though ending in defeat, reinforces the magic of the Copa del Rey—where smaller clubs can push giants to the limit, delivering excitement and unpredictability to fans worldwide.
As Barcelona advances, questions remain about defensive cohesion and consistency, particularly when star players are rested. Albacete, meanwhile, leaves with pride and a growing reputation for punching above their weight.
Stay with us for continuous updates on the Copa del Rey and all major football developments, as we track every twist and turn of the tournament’s knockout drama.
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