Barcelona came within a whisker ‌of an improbable comeback after last month’s thrashing, with 18-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal, starting in place of the injured Frenkie De Jong, scoring in each half and Raphinha converting a penalty after Pedri was fouled.

“We’re in ​the final, that’s what matters,” Atletico keeper Juan Musso told Movistar Plus. “We knew it ​could be difficult. They’re one of the best teams in the world but ⁠we got through because we scored more goals than they did overall. That’s what’s all ​about.”

The hosts dominated from kickoff, knowing they required at least four goals to force extra time, ​and pinned Diego Simeone’s side deep inside their own half.

Lamine Yamal sparked the revival in the 30th minute, gliding past two defenders from a short corner before drilling a low cross for Bernal to convert from close ​range.

Atletico had a chance to ease the pressure but Ademola Lookman headed narrowly wide from a ​Marcos Llorente cross, with Barcelona doubling their lead shortly after, when defender Marc Pubill fouled Pedri inside the ‌box ⁠in first-half stoppage time.

Raphinha sent the spot kick to the left as goalkeeper Juan Musso dived the other way.

Musso kept Atletico afloat after the break, producing a one-handed save to turn Pedri’s effort behind in the 54th minute and then denying Bernal from the edge of the area, ​before saving from Yamal twice.

The ​third goal arrived ⁠in the 72nd minute when Bernal volleyed home from a Joao Cancelo cross, leaving Barcelona one strike short of forcing extra time.

Instead, Atletico held ​on to progress and will face the winner of Wednesday’s other semi-final ​between Real ⁠Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, with Sociedad carrying a 1-0 first-leg lead.

“A game like this makes you feel really proud of your team,” Barcelona captain Raphinha told Movistar Plus.

“If we continue playing like this, ⁠we’ll have ​a spectacular end to the season. I’m sure the fans ​are proud too, as demonstrated by what happened at the end of the match. We also know that we’re up ​against a team that defends its own.”