Yamal strike and Rashford assist send Barcelona into copa del rey semi-finals

Teenager Lamine Yamal found the net and Marcus Rashford provided an assist as holders Barcelona booked their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a controlled 2–1 victory away to Albacete, Sport360NG reports.

Yamal opened the scoring in the 39th minute, registering his first goal of this season’s Copa del Rey, before Ronald Araujo doubled Barcelona’s advantage shortly after the interval. Javi Moreno’s late strike gave the hosts hope, but the La Liga leaders held firm to progress.

In the first competitive meeting between the sides since 2005, Barcelona asserted themselves early. Rashford went close in the eighth minute after being released by Dani Olmo, though his effort drifted wide. Despite dominating possession, the visitors struggled to test goalkeeper Raul Lizoain until Yamal broke the deadlock.

The breakthrough came after Rashford and Frenkie de Jong forced a turnover high up the pitch, allowing the 18-year-old Spain international to take a touch and curl a composed finish beyond Lizoain for his 14th goal of the campaign.

Barcelona threatened again early in the second half when Olmo’s close-range attempt, following a surging run from Rashford, was dramatically cleared off the line by Dani Bernabeu. The pressure soon told, however, as Rashford’s corner was met by Araujo, who headed home to make it 2–0.

The assist marked another milestone for Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, as he became only the third player in La Liga this season to reach double figures for both goals and assists across all competitions.

Albacete, whose remarkable cup journey had included a shock victory over Real Madrid in the previous round, rallied late on. Moreno headed in Jose Carlos Lazo’s cross in the 87th minute to reduce the deficit, setting up a tense finale.

Ferran Torres had a stoppage-time goal ruled out for offside, but Barcelona saw out the closing moments to end the Segunda División side’s fairytale run and secure their place in the last four.