Barcelona reach Copa semifinals

Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo scored in each half as Barcelona beat second-division Albacete 2-1 on Tuesday to reach the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Albacete had shocked Real Madrid in the round of 16, eliminating the Spanish powerhouse in what was the debut of new coach Alvaro Arbeloa. It was Barcelona’s 16th win in its last 17 matches across all tournaments, with its only setback a loss at Real Sociedad in the Spanish league last month. Barcelona has reached the Copa’s last-four in four straight seasons. It won last year’s edition in a final against Madrid.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy,” Araujo said. “Copa matches aren’t decided until the very end. They found a goal and it’s normal for them to come at you in the final minutes. The team handled it well. We’re in the semifinals and that’s what’s important.” Yamal gave the visitors the lead with a left-footed shot from inside the area in the 39th minute after an assist by midfielder Frenkie de Jong. It was his fifth goal in his last six club matches. Araujo added to the lead with a header in the 56th after a corner by Marcus Rashford.