Atlético Madrid Dominates Barcelona in Copa del Rey Semifinal First Leg
A stunning performance from Atlético Madrid saw them dismantle Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal clash at the Metropolitano Stadium on . A calamitous own goal, coupled with strikes from Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, and Julián Álvarez, has given Diego Simeone’s side a commanding lead heading into the return leg at Camp Nou on .
The match took a disastrous turn for Barcelona early on. In the 7th minute, a miscommunication in the Barcelona defense led to an own goal by Eric García, gifting Atlético the lead. The defender’s inability to control a routine back pass set the tone for a difficult night for Hansi Flick’s team. Just seven minutes later, Antoine Griezmann doubled the advantage, calmly slotting the ball home after a precise pass, leaving Barcelona reeling.
Atlético continued to press, and their dominance was further cemented by Ademola Lookman in the 33rd minute. A well-worked move involving Julián Álvarez culminated in Lookman finding the back of the net, marking his second goal in two games for Atlético. The Nigerian international continued to demonstrate the form he displayed at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, directly contributing to another goal just before halftime.
As the first half drew to a close, Julián Álvarez added a fourth goal in added time, finishing with accuracy from the edge of the box after a clever assist from Lookman. The Metropolitano erupted as Atlético completed a remarkable first-half blitz, establishing a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Barcelona struggled to find any rhythm throughout the first half, and their attempts to respond after the break proved futile. A goal from Pau Cubarsí was ruled out following a lengthy VAR review for offside, a decision that further frustrated the Catalan side. The VAR intervention, described as “interminable” by one report, highlighted Barcelona’s mounting difficulties.
The evening went from bad to worse for Barcelona when Eric García received a red card in the 84th minute, leaving them with ten men for the remainder of the match. This late dismissal effectively extinguished any remaining hope of a comeback in Madrid and significantly complicates their task for the second leg.
Diego Simeone acknowledged the exceptional performance of his team, stating that the victory “will remain in the memory however the tie ends.” While cautious about declaring the tie over, Simeone praised the electric atmosphere at the Metropolitano and the unwavering belief of his players. He admitted, however, that even he hadn’t anticipated such a dominant display.
Hansi Flick, the Barcelona manager, described the defeat as a “great lesson” for his team. He vowed that Barcelona would fight back in the second leg, outlining a plan to win both halves of the match at Camp Nou. However, the scale of the first-leg defeat presents a formidable challenge for the Catalan club.
The result leaves Atlético Madrid in a strong position to reach their first Copa del Rey final in 13 years. While the second leg at Camp Nou will undoubtedly be a fiercely contested affair, Barcelona face a monumental task to overturn the four-goal deficit and keep their hopes of silverware alive. The first leg performance showcased Atlético’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity, leaving Barcelona with significant questions to answer.
The performance of Ademola Lookman was particularly noteworthy. Having joined Atlético Madrid recently, he has quickly established himself as a key player, contributing both goals and assists. His impact has been compared to that of Victor Osimhen, highlighting his growing importance to the team.
Barcelona’s struggles in Madrid raise concerns about their current form and tactical approach. The team was reportedly without several key players for the match, including Marcus Rashford and Raphinha, but the manner of the defeat suggests deeper issues within the squad. Flick will need to address these issues quickly if Barcelona are to salvage their season.
