Unconvincing Barca See Off Atletico To Reach Copa Del Rey Final
9-man Barcelona dug deep against a resilient Atletico Madrid side, to reach a fourth successive Copa del Rey Final, after playing a 1-1 draw in the semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.
Luis Suarez scored and was sent off as Luis Enrique’s men edged through 3-2 on aggregate. The Catalans won the first leg 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon.
Atletico dominated the first half and failed to find the back of the net, and were punished in the 43rd minute when Suarez tapped home from close range after a nice move from Lionel Messi.
Advertisement
Both sides were then reduced to 10 men, after Sergi Roberto and Yannick Carrasco were sent off.
Kevin Gameiro blazed a penalty over the bar with 10 minutes remaining but the Frenchman made up for his error in the closing stages by tapping in an Antoine Griezmann cross.
Both sides were then reduced to 10 men, after Sergi Roberto and Yannick Carrasco were sent off.
Kevin Gameiro missed a penalty in the 79th minute, as Diego Simeone’s men tried to equalize in the second half, but made amends few minutes later after great work from Antoine Griezmann.
Advertisement
Suarez was then sent off in the 90th minute for an elbow on Atletico midfielder Koke and Diego Simeone’s men piled up the pressure in the final five minutes to send the game into extra time but Barca were resilient at the back and secured the vital victory.
“We had to suffer, so did our supporters, perhaps we didn’t deserve to go through on this display but given what we’ve done in the Cup I think we’re worthy finalists,” Barca coach Luis Enrique said.
Holders, Barcelona will now take on either Celta Vigo or Alaves in the final in May.
