Barcelona will face Atlético Madrid in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, setting up a showdown that could lead to an El Clásico final if Real Madrid overcomes Real Sociedad in the other semifinal tie.
The two-legged semifinal will see Barcelona host Atlético in the first leg at the end of February before traveling to Madrid for the decisive return fixture in April.
This draw ensures an intense period of matchups between Barça and Atlético, as the two sides are also scheduled to meet in LaLiga on March 16, making it three encounters in just over a month.
Atlético Madrid holds the upper hand in their only meeting so far this season, with Alexander Sørloth scoring a late winner in a 2-1 victory at the Olympic Stadium in December.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad in the other semifinal, with Los Blancos having home advantage in the second leg after the first match is played in San Sebastián.
Historic Semifinal Lineup in Spanish Football
For the first time since 2014, Spain’s top three clubs—Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid—have all reached the Copa del Rey semifinals, alongside Real Sociedad, who were also part of the final four that year.
With just two points separating Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético at the top of LaLiga, and all three clubs still competing in the Champions League, the stakes couldn’t be higher in the coming months.
Real Sociedad, currently seventh in LaLiga, remains a formidable opponent as they continue their campaign in the Europa League as well.
The first legs of the semifinals will take place on February 25 or 26, with the return legs scheduled for April 1 or 2.
With a potential Real Madrid vs. Barcelona final looming, Spanish football fans could be in for a classic Copa del Rey showdown at the Estadio de La Cartuja in May.
