Spain’s Copa del Rey has delivered a pair of compelling semi-final ties, pitting defending champions Barcelona against Ademola Lookman’s newly bolstered Atletico Madrid, while Athletic Club and Real Sociedad prepare for an all-Basque showdown steeped in regional pride.
The draw, conducted on Friday at the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Football Federation in Las Rozas, as detailed in reports from AS and Tribuna.com, sets up a repeat of last season’s semi-final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. In that encounter during the 2024-25 campaign, Barcelona prevailed 5-4 on aggregate, including a 1-0 victory at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, according to records from LALIGA’s official archives.
Atletico Madrid enter the tie brimming with momentum after a dominant 5-0 quarter-final rout of Real Betis at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, the most lopsided result of the round, as reported by Sportstar and Flashscore. The performance marked a strong debut for Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, who scored in the thrashing shortly after his transfer from Atalanta. Official announcements from Atletico Madrid and Transfermarkt confirm the deal was worth an initial 35 million euros, with up to 5 million euros in add-ons, making Lookman a key addition to Diego Simeone’s attacking lineup. However, Atletico may face the first leg without midfielder Pablo Barrios, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Betis match and was forced off after five minutes of the second half, according to accounts from OneFootball and Into The Calderon. Medical evaluations suggest he could be sidelined for about a month.
Barcelona, meanwhile, advanced with a hard-fought 2-1 win over second-division Albacete on Tuesday at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte, needing a late goal-line clearance from defender Gerard Martin to seal progression, as noted in reports from Barca Blaugranes and PA Media via ESPN. Goals from Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo secured the victory for Hansi Flick’s side, but the Catalans will be without influential midfielder Pedri for the semi-final due to muscle discomfort, with the coaching staff opting not to risk him, according to statements from Barcelona’s official website and Tribuna.com. Despite a strong overall form, Barcelona have shown occasional inconsistencies this season, and this tie represents their 62nd appearance in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, underscoring their storied dominance in the competition.
The other semi-final features an all-Basque derby between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad, adding a layer of cultural and historical intrigue. Athletic progressed after a 2-1 quarter-final victory over Valencia at the Mestalla, with Inaki Williams scoring a decisive goal six minutes into stoppage time, as detailed in Sportstar. Real Sociedad, known as La Real, edged out Deportivo Alaves 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at Mendizorrotza, with Orri Oskarsson netting a late winner, according to the same source. The rivals met just last weekend in La Liga, drawing 1-1 at Athletic’s San Mames Stadium, while their earlier clash this season at Real Sociedad’s Reale Arena ended 3-2 in favor of the Txuri-Urdin, per LALIGA records.
The semi-finals will be contested over two legs, with the first legs scheduled for February 10 or 11 and the return fixtures on March 4 or 5, as confirmed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Atletico Madrid will host Barcelona at the Metropolitano for the opening leg, while Athletic Club will welcome Real Sociedad to San Mames. The winners will advance to the final at La Cartuja in Seville on April 18 or 19, with a spot in the Supercopa de España also at stake.
Barcelona emerge as favorites following Real Madrid’s shock elimination by Albacete in the round of 16, but all four remaining teams have lifted the trophy within the last 13 years, as highlighted in Football Espana. Barcelona hold a record 32 Copa del Rey titles, including their 2025 triumph over Real Madrid, according to Wikipedia and Statista listings. Athletic Club follow with 24 wins, their most recent in 2024, while Atletico Madrid have claimed 10, last in 2013. Real Sociedad seek their fourth crown, having won most recently in 2020.
The Copa del Rey, Spain’s oldest national football competition, dates back to 1903 when it was inaugurated as the Copa de la Coronacion to celebrate King Alfonso XIII’s coronation, per historical accounts from Wikipedia. Initially featuring regional champions, it evolved into a knockout tournament open to all Spanish clubs, fostering upsets and underdog stories. Barcelona’s dominance began in the 1920s, with early wins in 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926, and 1928, establishing them as perennial contenders. Their record includes eight titles in the 2010s alone, often as part of domestic doubles or trebles, such as the 2009 and 2015 seasons when they also captured La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Athletic Club, founded in 1898, boast a proud Basque-only player policy that has defined their identity, contributing to their 24 titles, including a run of four in the 1930s. Their 1984 victory over Barcelona in a tense final marked by post-match brawls remains iconic. Atletico Madrid’s successes include back-to-back wins in 1960 and 1961, and their 2013 triumph over city rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu ended a 14-year trophy drought. Real Sociedad’s three titles came in 1909, 1987, and 2020, with the latter a delayed final against Athletic due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which Real Sociedad won 1-0 in an empty stadium.
The Basque derby itself is one of football’s most unique rivalries, embodying the inter-city tensions between industrial Bilbao and aristocratic San Sebastian, as explored in BBC Sport and These Football Times. First played in 1909 during the Copa del Rey, where Club Ciclista (a precursor to Real Sociedad) defeated Athletic 4-2, the fixture has seen 191 meetings across all competitions, with Athletic holding a slight edge: 73 wins to Real Sociedad’s 65, and 53 draws, per Wikipedia data. A landmark moment occurred on December 5, 1976, when players from both sides jointly displayed the banned Ikurriña (Basque flag) at Atotxa Stadium, a defiant act against Franco’s regime that hastened its legalization, as recounted in El Correo and The Football Times.
Notable clashes include Real Sociedad’s 5-0 thrashing of Athletic in 1995, featuring Meho Kodro’s hat-trick, and Athletic’s 7-0 demolition in 1931. Despite the competition, the rivalry is often described as “friendly” by fans, with mixed seating at matches and shared Basque identity fostering mutual respect, according to Groundhopper Soccer Guides. In European contexts, Basque supporters have even cheered for the rival club, highlighting regional solidarity over enmity.
As the semi-finals approach, these ties not only promise tactical battles but also evoke the rich tapestry of Spanish football history, from Barcelona’s pursuit of a 33rd title to the Basque clubs’ quest to add to their legacies. With new talents like Lookman injecting fresh energy and injuries testing squad depths, the path to the final remains wide open.
