On February 26, 2025, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid faced off in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal, delivering one of the most electrifying matches seen in recent football history. The game, held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, ended with both teams sharing the spoils in a thrilling 4-4 draw, reigniting memories of the iconic clashes between the two sides.
Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone and Barcelona's manager Julian Nagelsmann witnessed their teams' fierce battle as they went toe-to-toe for the coveted final spot. From the very first minute, Atletico took the initiative, with Julián Álvarez scoring just 60 seconds after kickoff. Following the initial corner, Álvarez capitalized on the opportunity and drove the ball home with determination.
Things escalated quickly for Barcelona, as just five minutes later, Antoine Griezmann doubled Atletico's lead, showing his trademark poise with a well-executed strike after Álvarez intercepting the ball and passing it neatly forward. The early 2-0 advantage had the Atletico fans buzzing and put immense pressure on Barcelona, who needed to respond.
Fortunately for the home side, there was no shortage of fight. Barcelona's Pedri ignited their comeback, scoring the first goal of the evening for his side at the 19-minute mark after receiving Jules Koundé's cross. This goal lifted the spirits of the Barcelona fans and team alike.
Just three minutes later, Barça leveled the contest when Pau Cubarsi's powerful header found the back of the net. A well-placed corner kick from Raphinha brought Cubarsi's first professional goal, showcasing the signing's promise and determination.
The momentum shifted to Barcelona, who claimed the lead before halftime with another corner, this time finding Iñigo Martínez, who headed clinching back-to-back goals and marking the score at 3-2.
The second half continued to thrill, with Robert Lewandowski extending Barcelona's lead to 4-2, pushing Atletico to the brink. It seemed like Barcelona had it all under control until the ever-resilient Atletico made their move.
Marcos Llorente pulled one back for Atletico Madrid with stunning long-range precision, bringing the scoreline to 4-3. The resilient team showed signs of renewed vigor, and they continued to push against Barcelona's defense with vigor.
Just when it appeared Barcelona would secure the win, Alexander Sørloth scored for Atletico during added time, rounding off the scoring at 4-4, ensuring each team left with something tangible from this hard-fought encounter.
This thrilling encounter is set to fuel the anticipation leading to the second leg, scheduled for April 3, where the competition for the cup continues unyieldingly.
Both teams will use this match as fuel for their clash next month, each aiming for victory to progress to the finals. The stakes couldn’t be higher as fans of both clubs are undoubtedly eager for what promises to be another gripping chapter of this historic rivalry.