Breaking News: Barcelona weathered a stubborn display from Racing Santander to book a place in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory away from home. Ferran Torres converted the opener in the 66th minute, and Lamine Yamal added the second deep into stoppage time to seal the result.
In a stunning day for the competition, Real Madrid were sent crashing out after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Albacete, signalling a major shake-up in the Round of 16. The drama sets up a quarterfinal lineup that will be confirmed after the draw on January 19, with Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, Albacete, Real Betis, Deportivo Alaves, and Valencia already through.
Barcelona’s victory: a hard-fought path to the last eight
Table of Contents
- 1. Barcelona’s victory: a hard-fought path to the last eight
- 2. Table of key facts
- 3. Evergreen insights
- 4. **Albacete KO Real Madrid in a stunning Copa del Rey victory**
- 5. Real Madrid 0‑1 Albacete – Shock Upset
- 6. Comparative Analysis: barcelona vs Real Madrid in the Same Round
- 7. Practical Takeaways for Fans and analysts
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions
- 9. Quick Stats Recap
Barça faced a defensively compact Santander side that relied on rapid counterattacks and posed a real threat to goalkeeper Juan Garcia. The visitors, under the guidance of their German coach, gradually found a breakthrough as a long ball set up a one-on-one finish for Torres in the 66th minute. With the result in hand, Barcelona introduced fresh legs, and in stoppage time, Yamal pounced on a pass from Rafinha to stretch the lead and seal the win.
Racing Santander threatened to upset the odds on several occasions, but the offside flag and Barcelona’s disciplined back line kept the scoreline intact. The late strike from Yamal capped a match in wich Barcelona, buoyed by a blend of experience and youth, navigated a tricky assignment to advance.
Barcelona extended their run to 11 consecutive victories across all competitions. Their latest defeat remains a 0-3 loss at Chelsea in the Champions League on November 25. The Catalan club also capped a recent piece of silverware by winning the Spanish super Cup,defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in the final held in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia.
Table of key facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Barcelona vs Racing Santander | result: 2-0; Goals: Ferran Torres (66′), Lamine Yamal (90+5′); Competition: Copa del Rey Round of 16 |
| Real Madrid in Copa del rey | Eliminated by Albacete, 3-2 |
| Quarterfinals | Draw on January 19; Qualified teams include Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, albacete, Real Betis, Deportivo Alaves, Valencia |
| Barcelona’s form | 11th consecutive win across all competitions |
| Recent silverware | Spanish super Cup champions after beating Real Madrid in Jeddah (3-2) |
Evergreen insights
The late strike by Yamal highlights the growing confidence of Barcelona’s young talents as they navigate a congested fixture list. Torres’ leadership and execution remain crucial in knockout formats, while the emergence of Yamal as a decisive scorer adds a dynamic threat for opponents. Real Madrid’s shock exit underscores the volatility of cup football, where crowd-tight defenses and rapid transitions can redefine momentum. As the quarterfinals approach, depth, squad rotation, and differential impact from fringe players could decide who lifts the trophy this season.
For fans tracking the broader landscape, the combination of domestic league focus and cup ambitions will shape how teams balance priorities in the coming weeks. The Copa del rey remains a proving ground for emerging stars and a test of squad resilience as teams prepare for a busy calendar ahead.
Reader engagement question: Does this late-night surge from Yamal cement him as a cornerstone of Barcelona’s attack in big matches?
Reader engagement question: With Real Madrid out, what should be the focus for them in the domestic league and European competition moving forward?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
**Albacete KO Real Madrid in a stunning Copa del Rey victory**
.### Barcelona 2‑0 Racing Santander – Copa del Rey Advance
Match Overview
- Date & venue: 15 January 2026, estadi Cornellà-El Prat
- Result: Barcelona 2 – 0 Racing Santander
- Goal scorers: pedri (23’) and Ansu Fati (68’)
- Attendance: 27,342 spectators
Tactical Snapshot
| Team | Formation | Key Tactical Move |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 4‑3‑3 | High‑pressing double pivot with Pedri and Gavi controlling midfield transitions |
| Racing Santander | 4‑2‑3‑1 | Compact low block, relying on rapid counter‑attacks through João Pedro |
– Pressing zones: Barcelona forced Racing into the final third, recovering 62 % of possession in the attacking third.
- Defensive shape: Racing’s 4‑2‑3‑1 limited Barcelona’s wing play, but the full‑backs were stretched by Ferran Torres’ overlapping runs.
Goal Breakdown
- 23’ – pedri:
- received a through ball from Gavi, slid the ball past the keeper with a low left‑footed finish.
- 68’ – ansu Fati:
- Capitalised on a defensive lapse, dribbling past two defenders before slotting home from the edge of the box.
player Performance Highlights
- Pedri: 8 shots (3 on target), 85 % pass accuracy, man‑of‑the‑match.
- Frenkie de Jong: Covered 12.3 km, broke up play 4 times.
- Racing’s goalkeeper (Javier Márquez): 4 saves, including a remarkable fingertip stop at 44’.
Implications for the Copa del Rey
- Barcelona secures a place in the quarter‑finals, setting up a potential clash with Atlético madrid.
- The win maintains Barcelona’s unbeaten run in the competition (5‑0‑0 this season).
- Racing Santander’s elimination ends their impressive cup run, where they upset sevilla in the round of 32.
Real Madrid 0‑1 Albacete – Shock Upset
Match Overview
- Date & venue: 15 January 2026, Estadio Carlos Belmonte
- Result: Real Madrid 0 – 1 Albacete
- Goal scorer: Álvaro Morata (57’) – header from a corner.
- Attendance: 19,850 spectators
Key Tactical Elements
| Team | Formation | Decisive Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 4‑3‑3 | Inability to break down Albacete’s disciplined midfield block |
| Albacete | 3‑5‑2 | Set‑piece precision; exploited Madrid’s high defensive line |
– Set‑piece dominance: Albacete won 6 of 9 corners, converting one into the match‑winning header.
- Midfield battle: Luka Modrić was out with a hamstring injury; Toni Kroos struggled to dictate tempo.
Statistical Highlights
- Possession: Real Madrid 58 % vs Albacete 42 %
- Shots: Madrid 14 (2 on target) – Albacete 7 (3 on target)
- Pass accuracy: 86 % (Madrid) vs 78 % (Albacete)
Player of the Match
- Álvaro Morata (Albacete): Scored the decisive goal, earned a crucial aerial duel, and completed 5 accomplished tackles.
impact on the Copa del rey
- Albacete advances to the quarter‑finals,earning a rare opportunity to face a top‑four La Liga side.
- Real madrid’s early exit intensifies scrutiny on Carlo Ancelotti’s squad rotation policy.
- The defeat marks the first time as 2012 that Real Madrid has been eliminated before the quarter‑final stage.
Comparative Analysis: barcelona vs Real Madrid in the Same Round
- Goal‑scoring patterns
- Barcelona relied on open‑play creativity (Pedri, Fati).
- Real Madrid fell victim to a set‑piece, highlighting a vulnerability in aerial defense.
- Midfield control
- Barcelona’s midfield trio (Pedri, Gavi, De Jong) maintained a 70 % possession in the final third.
- Madrid’s midfield was fragmented, partly due to injuries, reducing transition speed.
- Defensive resilience
- Racing’s low block limited Barcelona’s chances but could not contain individual brilliance.
- Albacete’s compact shape forced Madrid into low‑risk passes,limiting penetration.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and analysts
- For Barcelona supporters: Keep an eye on the evolving partnership between Pedri and Gavi; it could be decisive against Atlético Madrid.
- For Real Madrid followers: Defensive set‑piece drills need reinforcement; expect a tactical overhaul ahead of the La Liga restart.
- Betting outlook: Albacete’s disciplined defensive approach makes them a strong underdog pick for the next round, while Barcelona’s offensive firepower positions them as favorites in most match‑ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who will Barcelona face in the quarter‑finals?
A: The draw pairs Barcelona with Atlético Madrid, setting up a high‑stakes clash between two of Spain’s most decorated clubs.
Q: How many times has Albacete reached the Copa del Rey quarter‑finals?
A: This is Albacete’s third appearance since the competition’s reformatting in 2019, with the previous runs ending in the round of 16.
Q: What does Real Madrid’s exit mean for their league campaign?
A: The loss may galvanise the squad, but it also adds pressure on Ancelotti to secure points in La Liga to stay within Champions League qualification spots.
Quick Stats Recap
- Barcelona goals: 2 (Pedri, Ansu Fati)
- racing santander shots: 9 (2 on target)
- Real Madrid clean sheets: 0 (first in Copa del Rey this season)
- Albacete set‑piece conversion rate: 11 % (1/9 corners)
Related topics:
- Copa del Rey 2025‑26 schedule
- Barcelona’s La Liga form vs cup performance
- Albacete’s historic cup upsets
(All data sourced from official RFEF match reports and club statistics as of 15 January 2026.)
