Barcelona booked their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals after edging past Segunda División side Albacete 2–1 on Tuesday night.
The Catalan giants had to be patient before making the breakthrough, finally taking the lead in the 39th minute through teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Ronald Araujo later doubled the advantage, but a late strike from Javi Moreno ensured a tense finish.
Riding the confidence of a three-match winning streak, Barça went into the tie as clear favourites against the side that had shocked Real Madrid in the previous round.
Still, Albacete proved stubborn early on, frustrating the visitors and limiting clear chances, with Marcus Rashford firing wide from Barcelona’s best opening.
Yamal eventually provided the spark. After Barcelona won possession high up the pitch, Frenkie de Jong slipped the ball to the winger, who curled a composed finish into the far corner for his fifth goal in six matches.
While Barcelona never truly ran away with the game, Araujo’s commanding header from a Rashford corner looked to have sealed the contest.
Albacete refused to fold, however, and Moreno’s late goal sparked brief hopes of a dramatic comeback. In the end, Barcelona held firm to secure safe passage into the last four.
