In a thrilling first-leg semifinal match of the Copa del Rey, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid battled to an exhilarating 4-4 draw at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Catalonia, Spain. The clash, held in the knockout stage of the competition, saw both teams displaying exceptional skill and determination. Barcelona, who last secured the Copa del Rey title in 2021, aimed to reclaim their glory, while Atletico Madrid, the 2013 champions, looked to overturn their recent defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish league.
Barcelona seized an early advantage with Julian Alvarez scoring in the first minute and Antoine Griezmann doubling the lead by the sixth minute. However, Atletico Madrid quickly retaliated, leveling the score by the 21st minute with goals from Pedri and Pau Cubarsi, scored just two minutes apart. The intensity of the match captivated the audience as both teams pushed relentlessly for dominance.
Robert Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead once more in the 74th minute, demonstrating his prowess on the field. Yet, Atletico would not be easily subdued. Marcos Llorente narrowed the gap by scoring in the 84th minute, setting up a tense finale. In a dramatic twist, Alexander Sorloth netted the equalizer from close range, ensuring Atletico left Catalonia with a draw.
The result leaves everything to play for in the second leg at Atletico's Metropolitano Stadium in April. The winner of this closely contested fixture will face either Real Madrid or Real Sociedad in the final. Real Sociedad is set to play their first-leg match against Real Madrid on Wednesday in Basque Country, adding another layer of anticipation to the tournament.
This encounter marks a continuation of the fierce rivalry between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, with their last meeting in December ending in a narrow 2-1 victory for Atletico in the Spanish league. Both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths and address weaknesses as they prepare for the decisive second leg.
