Lamine Yamal did it all: Assist, great match... and a bloody ankle!

FC Barcelona returned to the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2021 with the help of their undeniable new star. Lamine Yamal was the MVP of the second leg of the 'semis' against Atlético de Madrid (0-1), leading Hansi Flick's team in a first half where a goal from Ferran Torres was enough to tilt the tie in favor of the culés (5-4). After the draw in the first leg played in Montjuïc (4-4), Barça was obliged to win and the player from Mataró did not disappoint.

He said it just over a month ago after the spectacular comeback in La Liga, also at the Metropolitano: "I am here to show up in these matches." Well, on Wednesday, the '19' rubbed the lamp at just the right moment, with his 18th assist of the season, threading a pass between the lines that Ferran Torres finished off like a true 'killer'. Without Robert Lewandowski (on the bench) and with Raphinha disconnected, the youth player and the 'Shark' managed to solve a very tough match against a constantly challenging opponent.

In the 27th minute, marked by three rivals, Lamine caught Ferran's diagonal, threading a left-footed pass that surprised the 'rojiblanca' defense. Goalkeeper Musso tried to close in, but the Valencian was quicker and arrived a second earlier, poking the ball to put Barça ahead. In the second half, Atleti improved significantly with the substitutions, but lacked depth and finishing to hurt a very organized blaugrana defense.

Lamine ended up with a bloody ankle, but without injury

In attack, Yamal was always the main offensive card for the culés, but the complicity of Munuera Montero with the harsh tackles from the 'rojiblancos' players from start to finish hindered the youth player's breakthroughs. Not surprisingly, the player from Rocafonda ended up with a bloody right ankle after a harsh stomp from Clément Lenglet that the referee didn't even sanction as a foul.

Hansi Flick considered substituting him, but Lamine managed to hold on until the 87th minute, when Gerard Martín came on to help in defense. In total, the '19' completed 26 of 35 passes (74%), won 7 duels out of 14 attempts, received 4 fouls, provoked 2 yellow cards, and recovered 5 balls. Additionally, he created 3 clear goal opportunities, one of which was wasted by Raphinha in the first half.

The player from Mataró also came very close to scoring a great goal in the 12th minute with his characteristic crossed shot from outside the area, which this time went slightly wide. He also could have assisted Pedri in a play where the Canary preferred to backheel to Raphinha, who was quite erratic in finishing. In the 57th minute, the Brazilian wasted another clear opportunity, orchestrated by Lamine and Fermín López. Despite this, Barça held on to the 0-1 without suffering too much and will play in another Cup final, the eleventh since 2009.