The Spanish Football Federation has named Ricardo De Burgos Bengoechea as the referee for the Copa del Rey 2025/26 semi-final second leg between FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou. Barcelona face the daunting challenge of overturning a 4-0 deficit from the first leg to reach the final at La Cartuja.
Supporting De Burgos Bengoechea, Trujillo Suárez and Javier Iglesias Villanueva will operate the VAR, while Iker de Francisco and Asier Pérez serve as assistant referees. Francisco José Ortega will act as the fourth official.
De Burgos Bengoechea has favorable records with both clubs. He has officiated 34 Barça matches, with 28 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses for the Catalans. Notably, Barcelona have triumphed in 13 of the last 14 games where he was the referee, including the previous Copa del Rey final won in extra time against Real Madrid. Atlético Madrid, which he has refereed 38 times, has recorded 25 wins, 7 draws, and 6 defeats under his supervision, making them the team he has officiated the most.
This appointment underscores the trust in De Burgos Bengoechea's fairness in pivotal fixtures. For Barcelona, the match offers a chance to achieve one of their most remarkable comebacks, while Atlético seeks to protect its strong margin and advance to the Copa final for the first time in recent seasons. The experienced refereeing crew promises impartial control in this decisive encounter.
