Barcelona and Atletico Madrid Play Out Thrilling 4-4 Draw in Copa del Rey Semifinal First Leg

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played out an electrifying 4-4 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Tuesday. Diego Simeone’s side took an early two-goal lead before Barcelona mounted an impressive comeback, only for Atletico to snatch a late equalizer, leaving the tie delicately poised ahead of the second leg at the Metropolitano Stadium on April 2.

Atletico Madrid’s Lightning Start

Atletico wasted no time asserting dominance, scoring twice in the opening six minutes:

• 1st minute: Julian Alvarez capitalized on Antoine Griezmann’s flicked cross to open the scoring.
• 6th minute: A misplaced pass from Jules Kounde allowed Alvarez to set up Griezmann, who finished past Wojciech Szczesny despite Alejandro Balde’s pressure.

Barcelona looked stunned, but they soon took control of the game.

Barcelona’s Response: A Comeback in Style

Hansi Flick’s men regrouped and took charge of the first half, showcasing their attacking prowess:

• Ferran Torres’ miss: The forward wasted a golden chance to score, failing to beat Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso.
• 31st minute: Kounde’s assist found Pedri, who slotted past Musso to reduce the deficit.
• 33rd minute: Raphinha’s corner was met by teenage defender Pau Cubarsi, who nodded in the equalizer.
• 39th minute: Inigo Martinez completed the turnaround, giving Barcelona a 3-2 lead before halftime.

Second-Half Drama and Late Equalizer

Barcelona extended their advantage in the 72nd minute when Lamine Yamal dazzled down the right flank and set up Robert Lewandowski for an easy tap-in. With a 4-2 lead, it seemed the Catalans were in control.

However, Atletico Madrid refused to back down:

• 84th minute: Marcos Llorente pulled one back with a precise strike from the edge of the box.
• 93rd minute: In stoppage time, Samuel Lino broke behind Barca’s defense and found Alexander Sorloth, who slotted home the dramatic equalizer.

What’s Next? A Decisive Second Leg Awaits

This thrilling encounter set the stage for an intense second leg at the Metropolitano on April 2. With both teams displaying attacking brilliance and defensive vulnerabilities, fans can expect another high-stakes battle as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid fight for a spot in the Copa del Rey final.