Barça are through to the Copa del Rey semifinals. The Blaugrana eliminated Albacete (1-2) but suffered until the very last minute, when Gerard Martín cleared a shot off the goal line to prevent extra time. Here are some immediate highlights.

Not far from the statue commemorating the moment when Andrés Iniesta, a son of Albacete, decided the World Cup final, Lamine Yamal worked his magic. The Carlos Belmonte stadium, which evokes memories of the 90s for those of a certain age, joins the list of venues where the genius from Rocafonda has displayed his brilliance. Just before halftime of an uncomfortable first half, marked by numerous fouls and a lot of noise, he stopped time to gently chip the ball past the home goalkeeper. It was the beginning of the end for Albacete's resistance in a match where Ronald Araujo seemed the happiest. The Uruguayan, a starter in the match that opened the door to the Copa del Rey semifinals for Barça, headed in the second goal, celebrating with a hug from Hansi Flick, the manager who has unconditionally supported him through tough times. It was a special moment.

Espanyol has started the 2025-26 season with its usual preseason stay in Torremirona and with many new facesOne of them is veteran striker Kike García, who Fran Garagarza has signed as a free agent after scoring 13 goals with Alavés, and who made his debut as a blue and white player last Saturday with a hat trick against Peralada.