Barcelona reached the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, but only after making hard work of beating giantkillers Albacete 2-1.
The hosts, 12th in the Segunda Division, reached the quarterfinals courtesy of their shock 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in the last 16 in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first match in charge.
They were unable to repeat those heroics against Barça, although they did give the holders a fright when Javi Moreno scored with three minutes left.
But ultimately goals from Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araújo kept Barcelona on course for a record-extending 33rd Copa del Rey success.
The underdogs threatened in the early stages with Antonio Puertas twice forcing saves from Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.
But Barça grew into the game and Gerard Martín fired a decent opportunity over from Yamal’s cross.
It was Barça who broke the deadlock six minutes before half-time when Marcus Rashford drew two defenders towards him before squaring for Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutch midfielder slipped the ball out to Yamal, who lashed a superb first-time finish across Albacete keeper Raul Lizoain and inside the far post.
The visitors almost added a second in first-half stoppage time but Dani Olmo headed Yamal’s cross narrowly wide.
Araujo doubled the lead 11 minutes into the second half with a glancing header from Rashford’s corner.
Lizoain kept Albacete in the match with saves from Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, while Ferran Torres blazed a good chance over.
And Barça were made to sweat when Moreno headed home a cross from Jose Carlos Lazo.
Torres thought he had wrapped up the tie when he fired home but VAR disallowed the goal for offside.
