Tag: Barcelona

Barcelona moved a step closer to winning La Liga with a tight 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, but lost their goalscorer Lamine Yamal to an apparent hamstring injury.

The teenage Spanish star won and converted a penalty to clinch a narrow triumph, but hurt himself as he took it and was replaced before half-time.

Joao Cancelo also went off injured for a Barca team who moved nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table with six matches remaining, including a Clasico on May 10.

“We have to win every game and seal La Liga as soon as possible. It was important to win today,” Pedri told Movistar.

“I hope (Lamine’s injury) is for as few weeks as possible. Tomorrow he’ll be tested, and we’ll see what it is. I wish him the best of luck, and he should stay calm — he’s young and will surely recover well.”

Hansi Flick’s side, playing for the first time since their Champions League quarter-final elimination by Atletico Madrid last week, lacked their usual attacking spark.

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia saved well from Pablo Duran and Ferran Jutgla in the opening exchanges at Camp Nou.

With little between the teams, it came down to Yamal’s fleet footwork to help Barca open the door.

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The forward skipped into the box, exchanging passes with Dani Olmo, and was felled by Yoel Lago as he tried to evade the Celta defender.

Lamine Yamal beat Ionut Radu with a low penalty, with the goalkeeper diving the right way. However, he pulled up hurt immediately, calling for treatment and lying on the turf as his teammates came over to celebrate.

The match was delayed for over 15 minutes because of a medical incident in the stands at the same time, and when Celta kicked off again, Yamal had been replaced by Roony Bardghji.

Barca battled through the second half without creating much until Ferran Torres lashed home with a volley from Pedri’s pass.

The Catalans’ joy was short-lived, though, as the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside call against the Spanish forward.

Former Barca defender Marcos Alonso smashed a free-kick into the wall as the hosts held on to claim three potentially vital points.

Defeat left Celta seventh and still hoping to qualify for European football next season.

“We were very good in the first half, we had chances and they didn’t have so many… but individual talent made the difference,” said Jutgla. “La Liga is very competitive and we will fight until the end.”

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Atletico Madrid sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League and reached the final four with a 3-2 aggregate victory despite Tuesday’s 2-1 quarter-final second leg defeat.

Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres fired visitors Barcelona ahead inside 24 minutes, but Ademola Lookman’s strike gave Atletico the edge in the gripping all-Spanish tie once again after their 2-0 win in the first leg.

Diego Simeone’s side returned to the semi-finals for the first time since 2017 by holding on against the La Liga champions in a compelling and bloody battle.

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth as he ran in on goal in the final stages, hampering their chances of finding a third goal to force extra time.

Atletico Madrid, who have never won the competition and lost the 2014 and 2016 finals with Simeone at the helm, will face Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the semi-finals.

Barcelona last won the Champions League in 2015, and their wait for a sixth crown continues, but midfielder Frenkie de Jong said that the club was on the right path despite their elimination.

Barca coach Hansi Flick benched forwards Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski for workhorses Torres and Gavi, looking to press Atletico relentlessly in the sixth match between these sides this season.

Goalkeeper Juan Musso tipped a Yamal effort around his post after just 32 seconds, with Barca roaring out of the blocks in a fiery atmosphere at the Metropolitano stadium.

The teenage winger fired the visitors ahead after just four minutes when he harried Clement Lenglet into giving the ball away.

Torres nudged it back to Yamal, who slipped a low shot through Musso’s legs to hush the home fans and ignite Barca’s attempted comeback bid.

Dani Olmo nearly grabbed a second, but Musso was able to reach his attempted lob as Barca continued to dominate.

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Antoine Griezmann had a shot deflected wide as Atletico Madrid showed occasional flashes, mostly through enterprising winger Lookman, who gave Jules Kounde a difficult night.

Barcelona doubled their lead in the 24th minute to level the tie on aggregate when Torres left Lenglet trailing, reached Olmo’s pass and fired across Musso into the top corner.

Fermin Lopez could have notched Barca’s third, but Musso clawed out his header and left the midfielder bleeding after his boot caught the Spaniard in the face.

Atletico pulled their way back into the game in the 31st minute after Barca switched off defensively for the first time.

Marcos Llorente charged down the right behind the Catalans’ high defensive line and crossed for Lookman to convert.

Barcelona were frustrated early in the second half when Torres volleyed home, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Flick sent on Rashford and Lewandowski with around 20 minutes remaining to find the goal that last season’s semi-finalists needed.

Barca stopper Joan Garcia made a fine save with his leg to thwart Robin Le Normand from close range as Atletico almost pulled level on the night.

Matteo Ruggieri was left with blood streaming down his face after Gavi caught him with an elbow, with tensions rising.

The game spun away from Barca when Eric Garcia was sent off for clipping Sorloth’s heels as he ran through on goal, similar to Pau Cubarsi’s red card in the first leg.

Flick threw centre-back Ronald Araujo up front for the final stages, but there was no way back, and Atletico gritted their teeth through eight minutes of stoppage time before the celebrations could begin.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was furious at the decision not to review a strange handball incident in his team’s 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Atletico defender Marc Pubill touched a ball passed to him by goalkeeper Juan Musso with his hand, to set it still in order to take the goal-kick himself, which Flick said should have been a red card and a penalty.

In the first half, VAR intervened to get referee Istvan Kovacs to review an incident involving Barca defender Pau Cubarsi, who was booked for fouling Giuliano Simeone as he ran through on goal.

After the review, Barcelona defender Cubarsi was sent off, leaving the Catalans with 10 men for the second half.

“The VAR was very focused today for Atletico, he’s a German guy, so thanks Germany,” former German national team coach Flick told reporters. “It’s for me a clear red card.”

In 2024, Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings was punished for a similar infringement in a Champions League defeat against Club Brugge.

Flick said the VAR officials should have asked Kovacs to review the incident.

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“For my perspective, it’s clear, he has to call and say okay come on, look at this, the same like before. I don’t understand,” added Flick.

“I haven’t spoken with the referee. I think it was better not to speak with him. We have to accept it, and focus in the match next Tuesday in Atletico. We have the quality, the players who can decide (this game), and we have to fight.”

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo said it was “absurd but a clear penalty”.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone said the officials were correct not to intervene.

“There’s common sense,” said the Argentine. “If Marc, who was supposedly receiving a pass to start the play, interpreted it the way he did, and the referee interpreted it the same way Marc did, it’s because there is only common sense about the play.”

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth’s goals earned Atletico a significant advantage ahead of the second leg next Tuesday in the Spanish capital.

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Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth’s goals earned Atletico Madrid a commanding 2-0 lead over 10-man Barcelona in a tense Champions League quarter-final first leg clash on Wednesday.

The La Liga leaders were on top in the all-Spanish tie at Camp Nou before Pau Cubarsi was sent off for bringing down Atletico’s Giuliano Simeone, who was through on goal.

Alvarez whipped home the resulting free-kick, and Sorloth doubled their advantage with 20 minutes remaining to give Atletico a strong chance of reaching the semi-finals.

Diego Simeone’s side, who have never won the competition, reached the 2014 and 2016 finals but were beaten by rivals Real Madrid on both occasions.

Barcelona, semi-finalists last season, need to make a huge comeback next Tuesday in Madrid if they are to stand a chance of lifting the trophy they last won in 2015.

Barca coach Hansi Flick was upset by the use of VAR to punish his side for Cubarsi’s red card but not to analyse a potential handball incident against Atletico’s Marc Pubill in the second half.

The defender touched the ball with his hand after goalkeeper Juan Musso passed it to him to take the goal kick himself, which Flick said should have been reviewed.

“The VAR was very focused today for Atletico, he’s a German guy, so thanks Germany,” complained the former German national team boss. “It’s for me a clear red card, then it (can) change (things) totally.”

Diego Simeone said the decision that was made was “common sense”.

Atletico knocked Barca out of the Copa del Rey in the semi-finals in March, and this was the second of three meetings between the sides in the space of a fortnight.

Barcelona started well, with Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, their main threat down the left.

On the right flank, Atletico tried to suffocate teenage star Lamine Yamal with defensive numbers, allowing Rashford more room.

The first chances fell to the England international, who scored against Atletico in La Liga on Saturday, but Musso denied him.

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At the other end, Alvarez, who has been linked with a switch to Barcelona in recent months, tested Joan Garcia.

The busy Rashford, constantly escaping beyond Nahuel Molina, volleyed narrowly wide and then rolled a shot into the bottom corner, but it was disallowed for offside in the build-up.

Even though the 18-year-old Yamal was up against three Atletico defenders, he produced some superb skill to break free of their shackles, but Robin Le Normand blocked his shot.

Veteran Atletico midfielder Koke was fortunate to stay on the pitch after fouls on Dani Olmo, Pedri and Yamal were only punished with a yellow card, to Barca supporters’ fury.

Flick’s side were controlling the game with Atletico talisman Griezmann quiet against his former team, but a moment of clumsiness from Cubarsi dramatically gave the visitors the upper hand before half-time.

The 19-year-old centre-back, chasing Giuliano Simeone as he ran through on goal to reach a ball in behind Barca’s defence from Alvarez, clattered the Atletico coach’s son from behind.

Although referee Istvan Kovacs only produced a yellow card for Cubarsi, he upgraded it to a red after a VAR review.

Worse was to come for Barca, with former Manchester City striker Alvarez whipping the free-kick into the top corner.

Barca battled well with 10 men, continuing to create chances for Rashford. Yamal sent the forward through on goal, but after rounding Musso, he could only hit the side netting, and he had a free-kick tipped over.

It was against the run of play again that Atletico snatched their second.

Griezmann and Matteo Ruggieri combined, and the latter crossed for target man Sorloth, who outmuscled Gerard Martin and fired past the helpless Garcia.

Barca tasted defeat at home for the first time since Camp Nou reopened in November 2025, and Atletico coach Simeone won at the stadium for the first time in his 14-year career at the helm of the Rojiblancos.

It was Atletico’s first win at Camp Nou since 2006 and a potential stepping stone towards the trophy they crave most.

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Barcelona stormed to a 7-2 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, winning 8-3 on aggregate.

Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha struck twice each for the Catalan giants as Eddie Howe’s side crumbled under a scintillating attacking display from the hosts at Camp Nou.

Lamine Yamal, Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez were also on target as Hansi Flick’s side ran riot and recorded a landslide last 16, second leg victory.

The five-time champions are dreaming of lifting the trophy again, 11 years after they last won it, and showcased the attacking firepower which could make their ambition a reality.

By contrast, Newcastle were hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, but the Premier League side departed bruised and battered.

“With the fans supporting us like that for 90 minutes, it’s hard to beat us at home,” Raphinha told Movistar.

Barca led 3-2 at the break after a thrilling first half, but after Lopez netted early in the second, they romped to victory.

After Joan Laporta was reelected president at the weekend, spirits were high around the club, and they came out flying.

They were outplayed in the 1-1 first-leg draw but pledged to improve back on home soil and claimed an early lead through Raphinha.

Teenage star Lamine Yamal turned brilliantly away from Malick Thiaw in midfield, leaving the German defender on the turf and released the Brazilian winger to score.

Barcelona are notoriously fragile defensively, though, and Newcastle quickly forced their way back into the game.

The Catalan giants were carved open with just a couple of passes between Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Elanga timed his run right to stay onside and sweep past Joan Garcia.

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Three minutes later, Barcelona were back in front with 18-year-old midfielder Bernal turning home from close range after Gerard Martin nodded down Raphinha’s diagonal free-kick.

Yamal was so often Barca’s hero on their run to the semi-finals last season, but was guilty of a mistake which led to Newcastle’s second equaliser.

The teenager attempted a backheel in his own final third and gave the ball away, with Elanga profiting at the back post as he turned home Barnes’s cross.

Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski has had a tough season for Barca, looking shorn of confidence, and he spurned two fine chances for the hosts in the first half, with Yamal also blazing over from close range.

The Spain international made amends from the spot to give Barca the lead at half-time when veteran defender Trippier pulled back Raphinha. Ramsdale got his fingertips to Yamal’s penalty, low to his left, but could not claw it out.

Raphinha sent Lopez through on goal to bag the fourth early in the second half, and it broke Toon spirits.

From that point on, Newcastle gave up the ghost, and Barcelona scored to their heart’s content.

Lewandowski nodded home from a corner and celebrated joyously, taking off the mask he had been playing with due to an eye-socket fracture.

The goal was liberation for him, and the next chance he got, he put away too, producing a lethal finish after a superb Yamal assist.

Jacob Ramsey put Barcelona’s seventh on a plate for the swaggering hosts, with a poor pass which Raphinha intercepted and dispatched clinically.

Fans sent a Mexican wave around the stadium, celebrating the biggest win they have had at Camp Nou since it reopened.

Howe said his players were affected “psychologically” by conceding a penalty just before half-time and then by Fermin’s goal early after the break.

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Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 victory over Levante at Camp Nou to reclaim pole position in La Liga on Sunday.

After Real Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side moved a point clear of their bitter rivals with a comfortable victory at Camp Nou against the team in 19th.

Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong gave Barca a commanding first-half lead, and Fermin Lopez wrapped up the win with a sensational drive late on.

Barcelona were glad to get back to winning ways after a 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg last week and then a 2-1 defeat by Girona on Monday in La Liga.

“It was a really bad moment for us, but in the end today we gave a good response,” Flick told reporters. “It’s important now to be on top of the table, but in the end, there’s a long way to go.”

Despite Flick’s calls for improvement in defence, Barca were as open as ever, although Levante’s poor finishing meant they could not capitalise.

Bernal sent Barcelona ahead after good work by Joao Cancelo, who impressed on a rare start after his arrival on loan in January, and Eric Garcia.

It was Bernal’s second goal since returning from a long-term knee injury, which kept the 18-year-old out of action for over a year.

“I thought of my father (in my celebration) and my physio — he told me I would score, and he has helped me a lot in this process,” Bernal told Movistar.

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Veteran Polish forward Robert Lewandowski could have doubled Barca’s advantage but fired into the ground and over the bar when well placed.

Cancelo hit the post with a cross aimed at Lewandowski, before the Portuguese defender carved out the second for De Jong with a similar ball in from the left.

De Jong delivered the finishing touch to give Barca a two-goal lead at the break.

“Joao today showed his strength, his positive things, he gave us a lot of moments, great chances, for me it was a really good game from him, and this is what I want to see,” said Flick.

Garcia should have expanded Barcelona’s advantage early in the second half but nodded wide from Jules Kounde’s tempting cross.

Eventually, substitute Lopez got a spectacular third, rattling home a long-range effort in off the post.

The midfielder might have added a fourth late on, but Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan denied him with an excellent reflex save, after first thwarting Raphinha.

Flick was able to bring back midfielder Pedri as a substitute after a month out with a hamstring injury, with the Spaniard likely to be key in the testing weeks ahead.

Defeat leaves Levante seven points from safety.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told his team they must feel responsibility after two damaging defeats ahead of Sunday’s clash against Levante in La Liga.

The Catalan giants are bolstered by the return of Pedri Gonzalez and Marcus Rashford after injury as they aim to overhaul Real Madrid in the Spanish title race.

After a 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid last week in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, Barca fell to a 2-1 league defeat against Girona on Monday, giving Los Blancos a two-point advantage at the summit.

“I think everyone is convinced about what we are doing, of course in these moments it’s not easy,” Flick told reporters Saturday.

“For me, communication is always important. We were very honest and also very open, it’s not only me telling them what to do, I want to ask them. This is how I manage the team.

“It is important because we need leaders on the pitch, they should (be able) to say something. That’s how communication is, on the same eye-level.

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“At the end, I have to decide things, that is my job, but I want the players to feel the responsibility about this situation, and I think they do.”

Rashford returns after a fortnight out with a knee problem, while key playmaker Pedri has missed a month with a hamstring injury.

“The positive thing is Rashford is back, Pedri is back,” said Flick.

“Maybe (Pedri) can play some minutes, the important thing is he’s training, with his quality.

“He’s an important player for us, he’s a different kind of leader because of his quality.

“He can also be one of these leaders for the future for this club.”

Flick also confirmed 21-year-old midfielder Gavi is back in training after undergoing knee surgery in September 2025.

Real Madrid visit Osasuna on Saturday, aiming to stretch their lead on Barca before Levante visit Camp Nou.

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Spanish champions Barcelona fell to a damaging 2-1 defeat at Girona on Monday to leave them trailing Real Madrid by two points at the top of La Liga.

Los Blancos beat Real Sociedad on Saturday to overtake the Catalans, and Hansi Flick’s side could not defeat Girona in a gripping derby clash to reclaim the lead.

Teenage star Lamine Yamal missed a penalty for Barcelona, who took the lead through defender Pau Cubarsi just before the hour mark.

However, goals from Thomas Lemar and Fran Beltran helped Girona, 12th, mount an impressive comeback.

“In the end, Girona deserved it; they had a lot of chances, we defended very badly,” admitted Flick.

“We are not in a good mood, not in a good moment. I gave the team two days off because I think it’s important they reset.

“There’s a long way (to go), we’re now in second, now we have to fight for first place in the table.”

Barcelona were still licking their wounds after a heavy 4-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey first-leg semi-final last week, and this defeat made things even worse.

“We have to improve because they can’t score these two goals against us,” Cubarsi told DAZN.

“We have to be self-critical; we didn’t play a great game, we have to improve, but now we have to rest and charge our batteries.”

Both sides were attacking with abandon in a very open first half, and it was remarkable that they went in goalless at the break.

Raphinha whipped a shot narrowly wide, and Yamal fired straight at Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga when through on goal.

At the other end, Ukrainian striker Vladyslav Vanat missed a slew of presentable opportunities.

Ferran Torres fired a good chance wide for Barcelona, and Raphinha drove against the upright as Flick’s side pushed for the opener.

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They should have got it when Dani Olmo was clumsily felled in the box by Daley Blind, but Yamal hit the post from the spot.

Barcelona eventually took the lead through Pau Cubarsi’s header from Jules Kounde’s cross after 59 minutes, but Girona swiftly pulled level.

Thomas Lemar slipped away from Eric Garcia and turned home Vanat’s pass from close range.

It shifted the momentum in Girona’s favour, and Barcelona were left relying on some stunning saves from goalkeeper Joan Garcia to keep them afloat.

The stopper denied Ivan Martin and Vanat with a remarkable double save, and then thwarted Joel Roca with his leg.

Barcelona could not stem the tide and Girona forced their way in front after 87 minutes, with Fran Beltran stroking home from the edge of the area.

The visitors, who last week made an official complaint to the Spanish football federation over perceived refereeing inconsistencies, were left fuming after Kounde was fouled by Claudio Echeverri in the build-up and it went unpunished.

“It seemed like a foul (on Kounde) to me, but we shouldn’t focus on decisions we can’t control,” said Barca defender Gerard Martin.

Flick said “everyone saw” what happened, and it was a “clear” foul, but he would not complain about it too much because Barca had a lot to improve on themselves.

“I would speak about that if we played well, but we didn’t play well, so it looks like an excuse and complaining,” said Flick.

“The (officials) do their job, sometimes it’s not a good job, but they are on the same level as we played, so it’s maybe not a good level.”

Girona ended the game with 10 men when Roca scythed down Yamal to cut short a desperate Barca attack deep in stoppage time.

It did the job, and the hosts celebrated wildly at the end with their jubilant fans at Montilivi, as Flick demanded explanations from the referee.

“Three points against Barca are more than three points, normally they beat almost all teams,” said happy Girona coach Michel Sanchez.

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Atletico Madrid hammered Copa del Rey holders Barcelona 4-0 on Thursday in the first leg of their semi-final.

After an Eric Garcia own goal sent Diego Simeone’s side ahead early on, Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez struck to give Atletico a landslide lead by half-time.

Barca defender Garcia was sent off in the final stages, with Atletico maintaining their significant advantage on the record 32-time winners, which they will take into the second leg at Camp Nou on March 3.

Both sides missed good chances in the second half, with Barca’s Pau Cubarsi having a goal disallowed before Garcia was sent off in the final stages.

Atletico were able to preserve their significant advantage on the record 32-time winners, which they will take into the second leg at Camp Nou on March 3.

“In the first 45 minutes, we got a great lesson for us. Sometimes it’s good to get (that) in the right moment, maybe today is the right moment,” Flick told reporters.

“The second half was much better, and we have one game more, and we will fight (to win) that.”

Well off the pace in La Liga and not showing the quality of a side likely to go deep in the Champions League, the Copa del Rey represents Atletico’s best chance of silverware this season.

With that motivation in mind, the Rojiblancos conjured the best football of their season to completely dismantle the Spanish champions in the first half, as the fans lapped it up.

“I think our fans need these games, they’ve been coming for years, pushing, they’re always there, they need big matches,” said Simeone.

“We had a great first half, reading the game very well, we were very efficient and calm in the final third.”

The hosts took the lead after seven minutes when Garcia’s pass, on the uneven Metropolitano stadium pitch, bobbled towards Joan Garcia and then under the goalkeeper’s foot and into the net.

Former Barcelona striker Griezmann slid home the second as Atletico breached the Catalans’ high defensive line repeatedly, leaning on the pace of Giuliano Simeone and Lookman.

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Fermin Lopez hit the crossbar for Barcelona, but it was one-way traffic, and Atletico nearly got a third when Alvarez’s effort was cleared off the line by Jules Kounde.

Eventually, Nigeria international Lookman steered home the third at the end of a fine team move, with overjoyed Atletico coach Simeone racing down the touchline in celebration.

Having spent much of the season demanding his team take their chances more clinically, all of the Argentine’s dreams came true at once.

Alvarez, who had failed to score in his last 11 matches, ended his drought for Atletico’s fourth, ramming home from just inside the area.

“We all know how important Julian is for us; he showed it last season,” said Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente.

“I’m really happy for his goal, I’m sure it will take a bit of the weight off.”

Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso saved well from Lopez to keep his clean sheet at the interval.

Barcelona thought they had pulled one back in the second half when Pau Cubarsi netted, but it was controversially disallowed after a long VAR review for an apparent offside.

“I want to have the reason why it was offside,” Flick told Movistar. “I don’t know what they saw.”

With a few minutes remaining, the league leaders’ night got even worse when Eric Garcia was sent off for a foul on Alex Baena as he ran through.

Ferran Torres’s poor pass sold his team-mate short, and he clumsily felled the Atletico playmaker.

Alexander Sorloth and Torres spurned further chances at each end as the game kept its frantic pace until the end.

On Wednesday, Real Sociedad beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the first leg of the other semi-final clash.

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Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe’s goals earned Real Madrid a battling 2-0 win at Valencia on Sunday to close the gap to La Liga leaders Barcelona to one point.

After the Spanish champions had beaten Mallorca on Saturday, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side eked out a tight victory at Mestalla to keep the pressure on their arch-rivals.

Missing suspended forward Vinicius Junior and injured midfielder Jude Bellingham, Los Blancos lacked sparkle but did just enough to claim three points on Spain’s east coast.

England international Trent Alexander-Arnold made his return after injury as a substitute in the second half of Madrid’s victory.

Arbeloa’s side had the better chances in the first half but failed to create danger on a consistent basis in a gritty encounter.

Arda Guler’s shot deflected narrowly wide, while Valencia stopper Stole Dimitrievski saved well with his legs from Mbappe’s fierce drive.

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Real Madrid right-back David Jimenez, from the club’s youth academy, came closest to scoring after French superstar Mbappe teed him up, but the Macedonian goalkeeper denied him, too.

Midway through the second half, Carreras conjured a goal out of nothing to give Madrid the lead.

Drifting inside from the left of the box, the defender used his weaker right foot to stroke the ball inside Dimitrievski’s near post.

Valencia might have levelled but Lucas Beltran’s effort on the stretch beat Thibaut Courtois and clipped the post.

Arbeloa brought on Alexander-Arnold for his first appearance since early December following a thigh injury, as Madrid looked to close out the game.

They eventually secured the three points in stoppage time as Brahim Diaz teed up La Liga’s top scorer Mbappe, who finished calmly for his 23rd goal in the competition this season.

Valencia’s fans, some of whom had waved white handkerchieves during the match in protest at the club’s situation, headed for the exits with Los Che 17th, one point above the drop zone.

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