Barcelona secured a 2-1 victory over second-division Albacete in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The game took place at Estadio Carlos Belmonte on February 3, 2026. How the win propelled Barcelona into the semifinals. The visitors dominated possession but faced resistance from the hosts.
Early Dominance
Barcelona created early chances. Marcus Rashford missed two one-on-one opportunities in the first 10 minutes. However the team persisted. Lamine Yamal scored the opener in the 39th minute. Frenkie de Jong assisted Yamal, who finished with a left-footed shot from inside the area.
Second Goal
After the break, Barcelona extended the lead. Ronald Araujo headed in the second goal in the 56th minute. Marcus Rashford delivered the corner kick that Araujo converted. This strike marked Araujo’s return to the starting lineup.
Late Drama
Albacete fought back in the closing stages. The hosts had a goal disallowed for offside in the 84th minute. Three minutes later, Javi Moreno scored for Albacete. Meanwhile Barcelona held firm to secure the win.
Team Selections
Hansi Flick, the Barcelona coach, rested key players. Raphinha, Gavi, and Pedri did not feature in the squad. Meanwhile Albacete entered the match after upsetting Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Broader Impact
The result extended Barcelona’s strong run. They achieved 16 wins in their last 17 games across all competitions. Moreover the victory highlighted Albacete’s resilience despite the division gap.
