FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played to a stunning draw on February 25, 2024, as the two sides faced off in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal at the Estadio Olímpico in Barcelona. The match concluded with an astonishing scoreline of 4-4, leaving fans on the edge of their seats through 90 minutes of explosive football.
The tension was palpable from the start, with Atletico making their mark almost immediately. Julian Alvarez put the visitors on the scoreboard just one minute after the kick-off, followed quickly by Antoine Griezmann scoring just five minutes later, allowing Atletico to establish an early 2-0 lead. This rapid domination stunned the local crowd and set the tone for what would become a thrilling encounter.
Barcelona, undeterred by the early setbacks, rallied quickly. Their pressure paid off as Pedri struck the first goal for the hosts at the 19-minute mark, sparking hopes for the Catalans. Just two minutes later, Pау Кубарсі leveled the score at 2-2, showcasing Barcelona's relentless attacking style.
By the end of the first half, Barcelona had turned the tides, taking the lead after Iniigo Martінес found the back of the net at the 41-minute mark. The first half ended with Barcelona leading 3-2, shifting the atmosphere and momentum firmly back to the home side.
The second half continued to deliver excitement, with Barcelona extending their lead to 4-2 as Robert Lewandowski scored at the 74-minute mark, assisted by Lamine Yamali. The home crowd erupted as it seemed Barcelona was on track for victory. Yet, Atletico Madrid wasn’t finished yet.
Marcos Llorente pulled one back for Atletico at the 84-minute mark, igniting hope for the visitors. The drama peaked when Alexander Serlot scored deep in stoppage time, securing the 4-4 draw for Atletico, which felt like victory considering the circumstances.
This match embodied the spirit of competition and the high stakes involved, with both teams desiring to lift the Copa del Rey trophy. Barcelona's historic record of 31 titles contrasts sharply with Atletico's last win back in the 2012-2013 season, making this clash even more significant.
With the second leg of the semifinal fast approaching, scheduled for April 2 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, both teams will be preparing intensively. Barcelona now hopes to build on their firm standing at the top of La Liga, where they have enjoyed remarkable form so far this year, whereas Atletico will seek to avenge this thrilling encounter.
Fans are left exhilarated and awaiting the next installment as the rivalry continues. This first leg has set high expectations for what promises to be another captivating clash between these two iconic clubs.