Barcelona book Copa del Rey final date with Madrid

Barcelona have won 1-0 at Atletico Madrid to reach their first Copa del Rey final in four seasons, setting up a "clasico" against Real Madrid.
Ferran Torres scored a first-half winner on Wednesday for the Catalan club, who advanced 5-4 on aggregate after a 4-4 draw in the first leg in Barcelona in February.
Madrid eliminated Real Sociedad in extra time on Tuesday, also advancing 5-4 on aggregate. The rivals will meet in the Spanish Cup decider for the first time since the 2013-14 season, when Madrid won.
It was yet another disappointing home elimination for Atletico after they lost on penalties to Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 last month.
"It feels great to win here, and it's even more special that it means we have qualified for the final," Torres said.
"It's always good motivation to be in a final, even more so when it's against a direct rival."
Barcelona, the Copa's most successful club with 31 trophies, hadn't made it to the final since 2021, when they beat Athletic Bilbao. Madrid, in their second final in three seasons, won a 20th title against Osasuna in 2023.
The April 26 final in Seville will mark the third clasico of the season. Barcelona won 4-0 in the Spanish league in October and 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in January. The rivals could also meet in the Champions League this season.
Atletico were trying to make it to the Copa final for the first time since 2013, when they defeated Madrid to win their 10th title.
Diego Simeone's team had rallied with two late goals to draw the first leg in Catalonia after squandering a 2-0 lead.
"We are just as sad as our fans," Atletico defender Jose Maria Gimenez said.
"We have to raise our heads and try to finish the season the best way possible."
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