Barca did all the hard work in the away leg as they built a 3-1 lead and the Primera Liga leaders, who have won the Copa del Rey a record 24 times but not since 1998, completed the job tonight with a 2-1 win against the Rojiblancos at the Nou Camp.

Atletico took the lead through Florent Sinama Pongolle in the 23rd minute, but Barca were back on level terms five minutes later thanks to Bojan Krkic before Eidur Gudjohnsen`s 75th-minute effort sealed a comfortable 5-2 win for Pep Guardiola`s all-conquering side.

Barca will now face neighbours Espanyol, who were pushed all the way by Segunda Division B side Polideportivo Ejido before going through on the away goals rule following a 3-3 aggregate tie.

Espanyol, having lost the first leg 3-2, were quickly ahead in the return match thanks to Julian Robles` sixth-minute own goal but the Primera Liga side could not build on that and rode their luck on occasion against an impressive Ejido.

Holders Valencia, whose Mestalla stadium is the venue for this season`s final, also had a time tough time before progressing through against Primera Liga rivals Racing Santander.

Valencia took a 17th-minute lead when winger Vicente won and converted a penalty but Racing midfielder Gonzalo Colsa scored a brilliant overhead kick three minutes later to level the tie at 1-1 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.

Neither side could make any more inroads during normal time so it needed extra time to decide the winner, with Valencia proving the stronger as goals from Vicente and Joaquin Sanchez earned them a 3-1 win on the night.

Valencia now face a mouth-watering tie against 2007 winners Sevilla, who cruised through with a 3-0 defeat of Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor.

The Andalusian side had already beaten Depor twice in the last week, including a 2-1 victory in the first leg, and Manolo Jimenez`s side put their opponents to the sword again thanks to three first-half goals from Jesus Navas and Luis Fabiano (2).

Both teams finished the match with 10 players as Depor`s Omar Bravo and Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop each saw red during separate second-half incidents.

Palop`s dismissal came after he had conceded a penalty five minutes from time, but even with Sevilla striker Ernesto Chevanton having to go in goal, Depor could not take advantage as Pablo Alvarez struck the post with his shot.

Third division Real Union could not repeat their shock success over Real Madrid from the previous round as they slipped to their second successive 1-0 defeat against Real Betis, for whom Arzu netted the only goal.

Betis will meet Real Mallorca in the last eight, with the Balearic Island side going through 4-2 on aggregate against Almeria following a 1-1 second leg draw tonight.

Almeria were handed the perfect start when Pablo Piatti put them ahead after only three minutes but Primera Liga strugglers Mallorca were level 25 minutes later thanks to captain Juan Arango.

In tonight`s other match Sporting Gijon squeezed through against Real Valladolid following an injury-time goal from Jorge.

Valladolid were trailing 3-1 from the first leg but looked set to be going through on the away goals rule following strikes from Fabian Canobbio and Pedro Leon. However, Jorge`s late header broke their hearts.

Sporting will next meet the winner of tomorrow`s encounter between Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao, which is locked at 1-1 from the first leg.