Copa del Rey Semi-Finals Preview: The Explosive Road to Seville
Spain’s cup slate doesn’t get much bigger than this. With the bracket tightening and the margins for error shrinking, two heavyweight clashes are set to redefine the landscape of Spanish football as the Copa del Rey moves into its most decisive phase.
Athético Madrid hosts Barcelona in a match that carries the weight of a final, while the Basque Country comes to a standstill for a derby that screams pressure, pride, and history. These are the nights that create a definitive swing: win, and you plant a flag in Seville for the final; lose, and you hand a rival total local and national dominance. One moment can significantly swing the momentum of an entire campaign.
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The Road to the Semis: A Quarter-Final Recap
The quarter-finals provided exactly the kind of drama the Copa del Rey is built on-narrow escapes, giant-killings, and a statement of intent from the capital. Here is how our final four navigated a treacherous path to the semi-finals.
FC Barcelona
Barcelona’s journey nearly hit a dead end against second-division Albacete, the second division team who already shocked Real Madrid in the Round of 16. After taking a comfortable 2-0 lead through Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araújo, Barça were pegged back by an 87th-minute Javi Moreno header. It took a desperate, goal-line clearance in stoppage time from Gerard Martín to prevent a collapse and keep the dream of a record 33rd title alive.
Athletic Club
The Lions proved they don’t need their home turf to be clinical. Facing a struggling Valencia side at Mestalla, Athletic found themselves in a 1-1 deadlock after an unfortunate Umar Sadiq own goal balanced the scales. However, the Williams brothers combined in the 96th minute, with Nico finding Iñaki Williams for a last-gasp winner that sent the travelling Basque fans into a frenzy.
Real Sociedad:
Real Sociedad’s quarter-final was a rollercoaster 3-2 victory over Deportivo Alavés. After falling behind twice, the “Revitalized La Real” showed their newfound grit. Following an equaliser from Mikel Oyarzabal, it was the late heroics of Gonçalo Guedes and Orri Óskarsson that completed the comeback, securing their third consecutive semi-final appearance.
Atlético Madrid:
While the others scraped through, Atlético Madrid sent a message to the rest of Spain. Playing at La Cartuja against Real Betis, Simeone’s men produced a 5-0 masterclass. The night was headlined by a dream debut for Ademola Lookman, who scored within 36 minutes. By the time Antoine Griezmann and Thiago Almada added the finishing touches, it was clear: this version of Atleti is no longer just looking to defend- they are looking to dominate.
Athletic Club vs. Real Sociedad
Current Form and Context
Athletic Club enters the semi-finals as the tournament’s ultimate knockout specialists, reaching this stage for an incredible sixth time in seven seasons. However, their domestic form has been a cause for concern, with the side struggling for consistency in La Liga. By contrast, Real Sociedad is one of the most in-form teams in Spain. Under Pellegrino Matarazzo, La Real has found a level of maturity and tactical composure that makes them a nightmare to break down. They look the more balanced of the two sides heading into the first leg at San Mamés, having shown they can absorb pressure and strike with clinical precision through their versatile attacking core.
Team News and Missing Players
The biggest storyline for Athletic is the absence of Nico Williams. It’s been confirmed that he is facing up to 8 weeks on the sidelines due to injury, meaning he will miss both legs. His brother, Iñaki Williams, is expected to start but is managing a heavy physical load.
Real Sociedad faces its own transition; having sold Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal last summer, they have relied on Jon Gorrotxategi and Beñat Turrientes to anchor the midfield. While Brais Méndez and Ander Barrenetxea are working their way back to full fitness, the tactical battle will hinge on how Athletic compensates for the loss of Nico’s 1v1 threat on the wing against a Sociedad side that has mastered the art of controlling the tempo.
Key Players to Watch
Orri Óskarsson (Real Sociedad): The young Icelandic forward is quickly becoming a cup specialist. After netting the 80th-minute winner against Alavés in the quarters, his physical presence and clinical finishing make him the “X-factor” that could silence the San Mamés crowd.
Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club): With his brother sidelined, Iñaki becomes the undisputed focal point of the attack. Fresh off his 95th-minute winner against Valencia, his ability to lead the line and exploit any defensive lapses from Sociedad will be Athletic’s best hope for a home advantage.
Prediction: Athletic Club 1–1 Real Sociedad This has the feel of a classic, gritty derby where neither side wants to blink first. Athletic will ride the wave of a loud San Mamés crowd to keep things level, but Sociedad’s current confidence and solid form should be enough to see them leave Bilbao with a draw, keeping the tie completely balanced for the return leg.
Atlético Madrid vs. FC Barcelona
Current Form and Context
Atlético Madrid is currently playing with an offensive fluidity rarely seen under Simeone. The 5-0 thrashing of Betis was a true statement, with Ademola Lookman adding a layer of unpredictability to their attack. Barcelona, meanwhile, remains the league leader but has looked vulnerable in cup formats. Hansi Flick’s high defensive line has been a masterclass, but the narrow escape against Albacete highlighted that there is still a lot to work on in their new system. Without a deep midfield anchor, they are prone to being caught on the break by Atleti’s speed.
Team News and Missing Players
Both sides are dealing with massive blows to their midfield. Pedri is confirmed out for the first leg after sustaining a hamstring injury against Slavia Prague; he is not expected back until late February. This robs Barça of their primary rhythm-maker. Atlético, meanwhile, lost Pablo Barrios to a right thigh muscle injury during the win over Betis. Confirmed on February 6th, the injury will sideline him for approximately four weeks, meaning he misses the first leg. This forces Simeone to look toward Koke or Rodrigo De Paul to provide the energy Barrios usually brings in transition.
Key Players to Watch
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): The 18-year-old is in the form of his life, having recently matched Lionel Messi’s feat of scoring in four consecutive matches across three different competitions. After goals against Real Oviedo, Copenhagen, Elche, and Albacete, he is the primary spark Barcelona will rely on to unlock a stubborn Atleti defense.
Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid): The January signing has hit the ground running, scoring on his debut in the quarter-finals. His erratic, explosive movement is the exact profile that can cause chaos in Flick’s high-line system, making him the most dangerous man on the pitch for the hosts.
Prediction: Atlético Madrid 2–1 FC Barcelona While Barcelona comes into this as the league leaders, the Metropolitano is a different kind of challenge in a knockout setting. Without Pedri to calm the game down and keep possession, Barcelona might find it difficult to stop Atleti’s newfound scoring streak. Look for the home side to feed off the energy of the crowd and use their clinical front line to grab a narrow win and take a vital advantage to the second leg.
Bottom Line
Everything is building toward a week of high-octane football that will essentially define the legacy of the 2025/26 Spanish season. Whether it is the thunderous roars of a San Mamés derby or the star-studded intensity under the lights of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the final at La Cartuja just over the horizon, these two nights are where pressure meets pedigree, and one clinical strike or defensive lapse will be the difference between a flight to Seville and a season of “what ifs.”
