Football: Polish goalie keeps clean sheet as Barcelona reach Copa del Rey final

Barcelona's Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny kept a clean sheet as the Spanish giants earned a 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid on Wednesday to advance to the Copa del Rey final.

Barcelona's Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (left) in action against Atletico in Madrid on Wednesday night.

Photo: EPA/CHEMA MOYA

Ferran Torres scored the game's only goal in the 28th minute, sealing a 5-4 aggregate victory after the first leg ended in a 4-4 draw on February 25.

Szczęsny w swoim stylu skomentował awans do finału Pucharu Króla https://t.co/37p6u5RJhh

— SPORT | PolskieRadio24.pl (@sport_pr24pl) April 3, 2025

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored in the first leg, came on as a substitute for Torres in the 74th minute.

🎙️ WOJCIECH SZCZĘSNY: “Yes, we were a little bit more conservative, we didn't really concede any clear goalscoring opportunities, no shots on target, so we were very mature today. And when you play the big games, that matters a lot.” #AtletiBarça pic.twitter.com/MBx3Nz2XMf

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 3, 2025

Barcelona will face archrivals Real Madrid in the final on April 26 in Seville.

🎙️ WOJCIECH SZCZĘSNY: “It's good because we've set up a very exciting end to the season, where we still fight for every trophy. We have a dream of doing something special this season.” #AtletiBarça pic.twitter.com/8oM2mVU8W6

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 3, 2025

Szczęsny, a former Arsenal and Juventus keeper, had a quiet night in goal, but made several key saves to preserve Barcelona's lead.

Wojciech Szczęsny nie był zapracowany podczas środowego spotkania Atletico Madryt🆚FC Barcelona
Występ Polaka ciekawie podsumowano w Mundo Deportivo
👇https://t.co/IvGxhcXkpE

— SPORT | PolskieRadio24.pl (@sport_pr24pl) April 3, 2025

He joined the club in October as a replacement for Marc-André ter Stegen, who was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

Wojciech Szczęsny ma pozostać bramkarzem numer jeden w najważniejszych meczach FC Barcelony do końca sezonu #LaLiga #LaZabawa https://t.co/doQW1pNQ1C

— SPORT | PolskieRadio24.pl (@sport_pr24pl) April 3, 2025

Lewandowski, meanwhile, joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in 2022. The 36-year-old forward also serves as the captain of Poland's national team.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Sport