FC Barcelona booked a spot in the Copa del Rey semi-finals on February 3, 2026, after a 2-1 win over a fearless Albacete Balompié at Estadio Carlos Belmonte. Barcelona came in as the defending champions, but Albacete, a Segunda División side, didn’t play like underdogs. They had already knocked out Real Madrid, and they brought that same belief into this quarter-final.
Barcelona had most of the ball and created more chances, but the scoreline stayed close. Hansi Flick’s team had to stay sharp until the last seconds to get through.
Match Highlights: Yamal Opens It, Araujo Adds a Second
The game was level for most of the first half, then Lamine Yamal produced a big moment in the 39th minute. He picked up the ball near the top of the box and bent a left-footed shot into the far corner. The finish was clean and calm, and it gave Barcelona the lead going into the break.
Barcelona kept the tempo after halftime and made it 2-0 in the 56th minute. Ronald Araujo, wearing the captain’s armband and making his first start after a recent break, climbed above everyone to head in from a well-hit corner. At that point, Barcelona looked in control.
Albacete didn’t fade, though. They pushed forward late and cut the lead in the 87th minute. Javier Moreno got on the end of a José Carlos Lazo free-kick and powered a header past the keeper to make it 2-1. The stadium came alive, and the final minutes turned frantic as Albacete chased an equalizer that would’ve sent the match to extra time.
Barcelona managed the pressure, even if it got tense. Ferran Torres thought he had scored a third in stoppage time, but VAR ruled it out for offside. When the whistle finally went, Barcelona looked relieved, and Albacete walked off to loud applause after a strong showing.
Marcus Rashford featured for Barcelona, and some reports credited him with an assist, adding to the mix of youth and experience in Flick’s squad.
Barcelona Team Performance Overview
Barcelona controlled long spells of the match and showed their quality on the ball.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Formation | Likely 4-3-3 |
| Key goal scorers | Lamine Yamal (39′), Ronald Araujo (56′) |
| Assists and notes | Corner delivery for Araujo; Rashford assist mentioned in reports |
| Possession (approx.) | Strong control (high 60s%) |
| Standout players | Lamine Yamal, Ronald Araujo |
| Manager | Hansi Flick |
The result makes Barcelona the first side through to the Copa del Rey semi-finals, and it keeps their push for back-to-back titles alive.
Albacete’s Strong Showing
Albacete set up to stay compact, break quickly, and take their chances when they came.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Formation | Deep shape with counter-attacks |
| Goal scorer | Javier Moreno (87′) |
| Assist and notes | José Carlos Lazo (free-kick delivery) |
| Key moment | Late header that made it 2-1 |
| Standout players | Javier Moreno, José Carlos Lazo |
| Overall display | Brave, aggressive, and tough to put away |
Their cup run, with the win over Real Madrid as the headline, was a reminder of how unpredictable knockout football can be.
What’s Next for Barcelona
Barcelona move on to the semi-finals, where the tests get harder. This quarter-final served as a clear warning that cup matches don’t give you time to relax. For Albacete, the journey ends here, but they leave with pride after pushing the holders right to the end.
