Barcelona came flying out of the blocks in an effort to chip away at Atléti’s 4-0 first-leg lead, though the wind was taken out of their sails after 11 minutes when Jules Kounde had to be replaced.
Their 70% possession meant the visitors were hemmed into their own half for long periods, but the Rojiblancos held firm, with even Antoine Griezmann forced to help defend at times.
It was the Frenchman who had Atleti’s first shot on target just before the half-hour mark, but Joan Garcia was well placed to save from the former Barca man.
The hosts’ pressure finally told just after, as Marc Bernal got on the end of a Lamine Yamal cross to send Camp Nou wild.
Barca took the initiative, but they were always susceptible to an Atleti break because of a defensive line that was often just inside their opponents’ half, and Ademola Lookman’s diving header almost took the tie away from them.
Pedri then earned a penalty in stoppage time, which Raphinha dispatched with the final kick of the half.
Atleti were much more purposeful in the opening minutes of the second half, though as Barca came back into the game, it took a magnificent double save from Juan Musso to stop the hosts from taking a 3-0 lead.
That prompted Diego Simeone to bring on Alexander Sorloth in an attempt to cause the hosts’ defence more problems. Time wasting quickly became a feature for visitors who remained under pressure, with half an hour still to play.
Alejandro Balde, the replacement for Kounde, was forced off at 70 minutes, just before Barca won a 10th corner, evidencing their dominance.
From that set-piece, Bernal bagged his second with a volley from Joao Cancelo’s beautiful delivery, and it remained backs-against-the-wall for Simeone’s side for the remainder of the match as the hosts put five up front.
The result means that Barcelona don’t get a chance to defend the trophy that they won last season, with Real Sociedad or Athletic Club meeting Atleti in the final.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pedri (Barcelona)
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