Albacete 0-2 Barcelona
Barcelona were heavy favorites to get past Albacete in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey at the Carlos Belmonte, but after Real Madrid were knocked out in the previous round with plenty of academy talent, Hansi Flick could have no excuse for not being warned. So a strong line was sent by the German manager, however it included the starting 2026 of Ronald Araujo and Joao Cancelo. Alejandro Balde, Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez were rested and Marc Bernal also got a chance.
The evening started with Barcelona on top, but the Albacete crowd were encouraged first by Marcus Rashford’s miss. Dani Olmo slid the ball into his path in the middle, but Rashford couldn’t wrap his foot around the ball, diving into the center of the box. Albacete settled down a bit, and had the odd breakthrough, but the pattern of the game was a series of set-backs, shots and final passes that didn’t allow the opener.
🚨 OFFICIAL: XI! [@FCBarcelona] pic.twitter.com/aMHgN3iXfD
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 3, 2026
It was a high press that opened the game for Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong and Rashford combined with the Albacete midfielder to win the ball back in front of the defense. Rashford squared it to de Jong after that, passing it to Lamine Yamal on the right side of the box, who fired his shot into the left corner first time, the 18-year-old’s fourth goal in a row. One threat to Flick’s satisfaction was Joao Cancelo, who was booked and in danger of being sent off after accidentally stepping on David Bernabeu’s foot.
Barcelona continue to have a no-nonsense attitude of opportunity
Cancelo was withdrawn, and Barcelona resumed their search for goals, with Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski passing clear openings. Albacete’s best chance so far came from a loose ball in the box, with de Jong on his way at the right time to deflect Antonio Puertas’ cross. But soon after, Ronald Araujo punished them in the corner. In his first start of 2026, Araujo nodded in delivering a post from Rashford, and celebrated with great content in his first big time since his return. He thanked Flick for his faith with a hug during the celebrations.
Flick 🫂 Araújo
¡El Uruguayo marca el secondo del Barça tras un remate de cabeza! #LaCopaRTVE
📺 Albacete-FC Barcelona, en DIRECTO en @la1_tve y pic.twitter.com/XQzMNWkkyV
– Teledeporte (@teledeporte) February 3, 2026
The hero of Real Madrid’s victory, Jefte Betancor was sent off after an hour, and Araujo’s cut inside put his first effort near the top corner, as Albacete began to take more risks. Flick will be frustrated by his team’s inability to capitalize on the many breaks they have created. The next big chance fell to Jefte though, who failed to score with a free header behind the post, which seemed to end Carlos Belmonte’s hopes more than any Barcelona goal.
There was little doubt that Barcelona would rest, and with 10 minutes remaining, Puertas had a goal disallowed for offside. With just three minutes to go, a free-kick found Javi Moreno’s diving header at the near post. As he roared back to the road line, the Albacete team was pumped full of adrenaline. Moments later, Gerard Martin’s cross for Ferran Torres to block was ruled out by VAR, seemingly giving Albacete the never-say-die death penalty. In stoppage time, the ball went to free Agus Medina at the back. His dink on Joan Garcia was good – but Martin spoiled the drama with a header outside the line.
Barcelona survived their scare and are through to next week’s semi-finals, which will be played over two legs. Flick was optimistic about their ability to create chances late on, but their continued lapses not just in terms of shooting but decision-making in the final third is quickly becoming a theme that will give him little satisfaction. Albacete, brave and full of admirable confidence, will take advantage of one of the chances that came against Real Madrid, this time thwarted at the death.
