Barcelona Advances After Resilient Clash With Albacete in Copa del Rey Quarter-Final
FC Barcelona advances to the Copa del Rey semifinals after a hard-fought quarter-final victory over Albacete, highlighted by a strong start and resilient opposition.
- • Barcelona dominated early stages with Lamine Yamal's involvement.
- • Albacete showed resilience despite pressure and created counter-attacks.
- • The match marked the first Copa del Rey edition with a lower division team facing both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
- • Barcelona progresses to semifinals to face the winner of Alavés vs Real Sociedad.
- • Joan Laporta criticized refereeing decisions favoring Real Madrid before the match.
Key details
FC Barcelona faced Albacete in the Copa del Rey quarter-final on February 3, 2026, at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium, a match marked by intense competition and historic significance. This fixture was the first time in the tournament's history that a lower division team, Albacete, faced both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the same Copa del Rey edition.
Barcelona dominated the early stages of the match with a strong offensive display, highlighted by young talent Lamine Yamal. Despite significant possession and pressure, Barcelona initially struggled to convert chances into clear scoring opportunities. Albacete, who are currently twelfth in LaLiga Hypermotion, showed remarkable bravery and resilience, managing to launch counter-attacks though they fell short of precision in the final third. The stadium's vibrant atmosphere, with passionate support from the home crowd, added to the intensity of the match.
Barcelona's coach Hansi Flick fielded a blend of experience and youth, including players like Marcus Rashford and João Cancelo, which contributed to their attacking threats. The match was competitive, with several yellow cards issued, reflecting high stakes and robust play on the field.
The victory for Barcelona secures their progression to the semifinals where they will face the winner of the Alavés versus Real Sociedad match. Prior to the game, Barcelona president Joan Laporta publicly criticized perceived refereeing biases benefiting Real Madrid in recent matches, notably against Rayo Vallecano.
This quarter-final game stands out not only for the sporting action but also for the narrative of a lower-tier team challenging a football giant, underpinning the magic and unpredictability of the Copa del Rey.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
