The rivalry that Barça always takes care to break down

Sant Joan DespíBarça sealed their Copa del Rey semi-final run with another 3-1 win over Real Madrid, making it eighteen wins in eighteen matches between the two sides. The dominant performance from the first leg was compounded by a remedial effort against Johan, and the Blaugranas will play another final in the competition on June 8th. Their opponents will likely be Atlético de Madrid, who host Granada this Thursday (7:30 p.m., Esport3) and hope to make good on their 2-0 first-leg defeat in Andalusia.

In their second clash with Real Madrid in a week, and ahead of the Liga F clash at Montjuïc on Sunday the 23rd, Pere Romeu's side took a little longer to open the scoring. After a quarter of an hour without many chances, Barça began to show off their wide range of talents. With a superb midfield, with Aitana and Alexia protected by Patri Guijarro, the Blaugranas dominated possession and moved the ball with precision from one side to the other, while Madrid held firm, but could only do this: resist their opponent's superiority.

If moving the ball around didn't find any openings, other avenues had to be activated. One of them was discovered by Mapi León. Her feet led to the first clear chance, which was taken by Kika Nazareth. After a good pass from the center back behind the Real Madrid defense, the Portuguese striker tried a chip shot that went wide of Misa Rodríguez's left post.

Patri Guijarro started the scoring.

The young striker, who alternates starting with Ewa Pajor, lamented: every game she plays is an opportunity to showcase the qualities Barça wants to enjoy in the present and the future. And Kika also wants to spend many years wearing the Blaugrana jersey: in fact, she's learning Catalan. Shortly after this initial warning from the Portuguese, it would be Patri who would open the scoring. A recovery and excellent assist from Graham Hansen preceded Patri's left-footed control and a low, powerful right-footed shot, which hit the post before powerfully entering the back of the net.

The goal gave the Blaugrana a boost, although Madrid would manage to go into the break with just a goal conceded. Romeo wasn't satisfied with the 1-0 lead, despite the tie being more than sealed with the first-leg advantage, and added more meat to the mix. The coach wanted the 3,689 spectators at the Johan stadium to enjoy another performance and brought on Pajor, the team's leading scorer.

It took the Polish player just three minutes to score the first goal, a performance that would be rounded off with a brace twenty minutes later. Barça looked to extend their lead, but this time the victory ended at 3-1 when Bruun scored a consolation goal in added time, offering his team the consolation of breaking a two-goal drought for Barça.