0: 2 after six minutes, four Barca goals in a row, compensation in added time – FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have provided an epic cup evening.
The furious semi-final first leg in the Copa del Rey ended on Tuesday with 4: 4 (3: 2) and offered the best entertainment. Julian Alvarez (1st) and Antoine Griezmann (6th) brought Atlético early before Pedri (19th), Pau Cubarsi (21st) and Inigo Martinez (41.) struck back.
Robert Lewandowski (74th) increased only six minutes after his substitution and after a strong preparatory work by Lamine Yamal to 4: 2 for Barcelona. Marcos Llorente (84th) and substitute Alexander Sörloth (90.+3) still had Atlético cheering – the draw is very valuable with a view to the second leg on April 2 in Madrid.
At least Barca continued his course and has been unbeaten for 14 competitive games. Most recently, the team of coach Hansi Flick lost on December 21, 2024 – at that time in the league game at home against Atlético.
Barcelona misses the start
It initially looked after an end to the series because Barcelona totally slept the start on Tuesday evening. In the first minute of the game, Atlético came to two thick chances, the second used Alvarez after an extended cross on the second post.
Hansi Flick provides instructions on the sidelines
Less than five minutes later, Griezmann skillfully completed a nice template from Alvarez – a bad pass from Jules Koundé was preceded by the game structure.
But Barcelona, like in the COPA rounds before without ex-Munich Robert Lewandowski in the starting eleven, didn’t take long to digest the shock. Lewandowski replacement Ferran Torres initially gave a big chance (12th) before Pedri and Cubarsi stopped duplicate.
Cubarsi with Tor-premiere
Pedri finished a great combination of Lamine Yamal and Koundé, Cubarsi skipped after a Raphina corner Pablo Barrios on the second post. The 18-year-old super defense talent celebrated his first goal in professional football.
Pau Cubarsi cheers with Lamine Yamal
The game remained very fast -paced with chances on both sides, but especially for Barcelona. Torres was already past goalkeeper Juan Musso in the 32nd minute, but then did not really hit the ball at the empty gate at the end.
Martinez and his header, again after a corner of Raphina, set the end of a memorable first half. After skillful walking paths and blocks, he came to Martinez second post completely free.
Lewandowski substituted for Olmo
Even after the break, the game remained competitive and high-class-after all, FC Barcelona is a La-Liga table leader and Atlético has only one point behind as the third. Both teams are also represented in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
However, the number and quality of the scoring opportunities initially decreased significantly in the second round. That only changed with the substitution of Lewandowski, he came into play in the 68th minute for Dani Olmo. Just six minutes later, he was in the right place in front of the goal and completed the outstanding preparatory work by dribble artist Yamal.
Shortly afterwards, Lewandowski could have met a second time, perfectly served by Raphina. Instead, Atletico’s Llorente brought tension into the game again – and in fact the former Leipzig Sörloth managed to equalize in added time. It was the right final act of a crazy evening.
Reverse game on April 2
For both teams, it continues intensively with league and re-games in the Champions League round of 16 before the second leg in the Copa semi-final is due on Wednesday, April 2. Real Sociedad San Sebastian and Real Madrid face each other in the other semi -finals, the first leg will take place this Wednesday.