Barcelona dominates Atletico Madrid with a convincing 3-0 Copa del Rey victory, propelled by Marc Bernal's double.
Barcelona delivered a commanding performance at Camp Nou, securing a decisive 3-0 triumph over rivals Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Young midfielder Marc Bernal emerged as the hero, scoring a brilliant double to lead his team to a comfortable win. Barcelona now advances further into the competition.
This highly anticipated Copa del Rey clash pitted two Spanish giants against each other, both eager for silverware. Barcelona sought to assert their dominance at home. Atletico Madrid, known for defensive resilience, aimed to stifle their hosts in this crucial knockout tie.
From the outset, Barcelona dictated the tempo, controlling possession. Their persistent probing paid off in the 29th minute when Marc Bernal broke the deadlock. Lamine Yamal provided a clever assist, threading a pass for Bernal to drill home, putting the Catalans ahead.
Barcelona continued to press their advantage, creating several promising opportunities. Atletico struggled to get a foothold in the game, often defending deep in their own half. The home side's fluid attacking play kept the visitors' defence under constant pressure.
Just before half-time, Barcelona extended their lead. In the fifth minute of added time, a foul inside the box resulted in a penalty. Raphinha stepped up confidently and converted the spot-kick, calmly slotting the ball past Juan Musso to make it 2-0.
As the teams headed into the break, Barcelona held a comfortable two-goal cushion. Atletico Madrid faced a significant challenge, needing a dramatic shift in strategy. Changes were certainly expected from Diego Simeone’s side to alter the match's course.
The second half began with Atletico trying to inject urgency, making a double substitution in the 58th minute. Koke and Ademola Lookman departed, replaced by Alexander Sørloth and Nahuel Molina, aiming to boost their attack.
Barcelona also made tactical adjustments, bringing on Ferran Torres and Fermin in the 64th minute. Dani Olmo received a yellow card for a foul in the 66th minute, followed by João Cancelo a minute later. Despite bookings, Barcelona remained focused on their offensive game.
The hosts put the game beyond doubt in the 72nd minute. Marc Bernal completed his double, finding the net with another well-taken finish. João Cancelo delivered the crucial assist, allowing Bernal to guide the ball home and secure his dominant individual performance.
Barcelona’s statistical superiority highlighted their control, boasting 71% possession and an impressive 20 shots compared to Atletico's mere six. Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso made six saves, preventing an even wider margin. Barcelona also earned 15 corner kicks to Atletico's none.
This comprehensive 3-0 victory sends Barcelona confidently into the next round of the Copa del Rey. The performance showcased their attacking prowess and tactical discipline, reaffirming their status as strong contenders for the cup. They now await their next opponent.
