Barcelona secured a spot in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, but it wasn’t easy as they edged out the underdogs Albacete 2-1.
The hosts, currently 12th in the Segunda Division, reached the quarterfinals thanks to a surprising 3-2 victory over Real Madrid under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Although they could not replicate that stunning performance against Barça, Albacete did give the reigning champions a scare when Javi Moreno found the net just three minutes from time.
Nevertheless, goals from Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araújo ensured that Barcelona remained well on their way to claiming a record-extending 33rd Copa del Rey title.
The underdogs began brightly, with Antonio Puertas forcing two saves from Barça’s goalkeeper Joan García.
However, Barcelona started to assert their dominance, and Gerard Martín missed a good opportunity by sending a shot over the bar from a cross by Yamal.
Barcelona broke the deadlock just six minutes before the halftime whistle as Marcus Rashford attracted two defenders before passing the ball to Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutch midfielder laid it off to Yamal, who struck a brilliant first-time shot across Albacete keeper Raul Lizoain, finding the back of the net.
Just before the break, Barça nearly extended their lead when Dani Olmo headed Yamal’s cross just wide.
Araujo increased the lead to 2-0 11 minutes into the second half with a deft header from a corner taken by Rashford.
Lizoain made several crucial saves to keep Albacete in the game, thwarting chances from both Robert Lewandowski, and Olmo, while Ferran Torres squandered a good opportunity by blasting it over the bar.
Barcelona endured a nervy moment when Moreno scored with a header from a cross by Jose Carlos Lazo.
Torres thought he had sealed the win with a goal, but VAR ruled it out for offside.