Atletico Madrid tear the holders aside with 4 first-half objectives within the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal.
Revealed On 12 Feb 2026
Atletico Madrid tore Barcelona aside with 4 first-half objectives to secure a 4-0 victory within the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal, leaving the holders looking at a near-impossible activity within the return match.
Diego Simeone’s facet wanted solely 45 minutes at dwelling to grab management of the tie on Thursday, capitalising on a calamitous early error, earlier than carving Hansi Flick’s staff open at will to maneuver to the brink of April’s ultimate in Seville.
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Atletico took the lead within the sixth minute in extraordinary vogue. Barcelona defender Eric Garcia rolled a routine move again, however goalkeeper Joan Garcia, already scanning upfield, allowed the ball to slide beneath his boot and in direction of objective. His determined dive got here too late because it had crossed the road.
Eight minutes later, they doubled their lead with a flowing transfer. Ademola Lookman collected an extended ball on the left and fed Julian Alvarez, who switched play to Nahuel Molina. The suitable again slipped a intelligent move inside for Antoine Griezmann, who managed easily and guided the ball into the underside nook.
The third objective, within the thirty third minute, was one other counter. Giuliano Simeone drove down the fitting and crossed low to Alvarez, who squared for an unmarked Lookman to fireside into the underside nook.
Flick reacted by sending on Robert Lewandowski within the thirty seventh minute for Marc Casado. The change did little to stem the tide.
As an alternative, Atletico struck once more earlier than half-time. Lookman and Alvarez mixed as soon as extra, the Nigerian ahead sliding a move into the centre for the Argentinian to unleash a strike into the highest nook from simply contained in the field.
Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso denied Fermin Lopez early within the second half as Barca looked for a lifeline earlier than the March 3 return leg at Camp Nou.
They thought they’d one within the 52nd minute when Pau Cubarsi turned in a rebound from a free kick, just for the hassle to be dominated out for offside after a prolonged VAR assessment lasting almost six minutes.
Atletico remained harmful and almost added a fifth late on. Substitute Alex Baena was racing via unmarked within the 86th minute when Garcia introduced him down from behind. The referee initially produced a yellow card however upgraded it to a straight purple after consulting the pitchside monitor.
“It was loopy. Much more so towards Barca,” defender Marcos Llorente informed Movistar Plus.
“The staff did every little thing proper. We caught collectively on the again, we didn’t sit again, we pressed excessive up the pitch, we broke up the house very well. Every part went our manner.”
The winners of the tie will face Actual Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao within the ultimate. Actual Sociedad maintain a 1-0 advantage earlier than their second leg in San Sebastian on March 4.
