Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the 2025–2026 Copa del Rey, setting up a heavyweight showdown between two of Spain’s traditional giants.
Hansi Flick’s men secured their place in the last four with a gritty 2–1 victory over Albacete on Tuesday, as Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araújo found the net. Atletico Madrid followed on Thursday with an emphatic 5–0 thrashing of Real Betis to seal their own semi-final spot.
The second semi-final is equally enticing, with Real Sociedad set to take on Athletic Club in a fiercely contested all-Basque derby.
Copa del Rey Semi-Final Fixtures
- Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
- Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club
Both ties will be contested over two legs. The first legs will take place between February 10 and 12, with Atletico hosting Barcelona at the Metropolitano, while Athletic Club welcome Real Sociedad to San Mamés. The return fixtures are scheduled for early March, between March 3 and 5.
The winners will progress to the final, which is slated for April at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville.
The draw was held on Friday at the Royal Spanish Football Federation headquarters in Las Rozas. With Real Madrid already eliminated, Barcelona are seen as favourites, although all four remaining clubs have lifted the Copa del Rey within the past 13 years.
Barcelona’s quarter-final win over Albacete came with late drama, as Gerard Martín produced a crucial goal-line clearance to protect their advantage. Atletico, in contrast, cruised through their quarter-final, while both Basque sides needed late strikes from Orri Óskarsson and Iñaki Williams to edge past Alavés and Valencia respectively.
The Atletico–Barcelona clash is a repeat of last season’s semi-final, which Barcelona won 5–4 on aggregate, including a 1–0 away victory in Madrid. Meanwhile, the Basque rivals recently met in La Liga, drawing 1–1 at San Mamés after Real Sociedad had claimed a 3–2 home win at Anoeta.
Atletico have looked sharp in the competition and have been boosted by the signing of Ademola Lookman, although Pablo Barrios is a doubt for the first leg. Barcelona, meanwhile, have maintained strong form despite the absence of Pedri.
In the other semi-final, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s unbeaten run has lifted Real Sociedad’s confidence, while Athletic Club have repeatedly relied on late goals to keep their Copa hopes alive.