The excitement was palpable during the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at Monjuic on February 27, 2025, as the teams played to an electrifying 4-4 draw. The thrilling encounter, fraught with drama, saw the lead change multiple times, and both teams displayed remarkable resilience throughout the game.
From the first whistle, it was clear this would be no ordinary match. Atletico Madrid wasted no time in establishing dominance, scoring two goals within the opening six minutes. Julian Alvarez put Atletico on the board just 60 seconds after kickoff, with Antoine Griezmann doubling the lead shortly thereafter. Fans were left stunned as Barcelona found themselves trailing 2-0 barely past the minute mark.
Despite the shocking start, Barcelona quickly regrouped, showcasing their fighting spirit. The Catalans began their comeback with Pedri's goal at the 19th minute, effectively halting Atletico's early momentum. Barely two minutes later, Pau Cubarsi equalized the score at 2-2, lifting the spirits of the home fans. Barcelona's rally culminated with Iñigo Martínez giving them the lead at 3-2 by halftime, with his goal coming just before the break.
The second half saw Barcelona extend their advantage to 4-2 with Robert Lewandowski's goal at the 74th minute—an effort assisted by Lamine Yamal. With Barcelona seemingly on the path to victory, Atletico Madrid was not to be underestimated. Marcos Llorente pulled one back for Atletico at 84 minutes, reigniting hopes for the Madrid club.
Then, with the match nearing its end, the last twist came when Alexander Sorloth, who had just come off the bench, scored the equalizing goal deep in stoppage time (90+3). His goal not only salvaged the draw for Atletico but also framed the match as one of the most thrilling encounters of the tournament.
The draw means the first leg of the semifinal ended dramatically, leaving everything to play for when the two sides meet again on April 2, 2025, for the second leg. The stakes will be even higher as both squads will vie for a spot in the Copa del Rey final.
Barcelona's disappointment is palpable, as they had the opportunity to claim an advantageous lead heading to the next leg. Fans and pundits alike voiced concerns over missed chances, compounded by the late equalizer from Atletico, who proved their reputation for fighting back from seemingly hopeless situations.
Reflecting on the match, one commentator remarked, "Immortal Atlético, the Barça can really blame themselves..." echoing the sentiment felt across the city as supporters of both teams process the outcome of this gripping spectacle.
With another league encounter on the horizon on March 16, 2025, between the same teams, the competitive spirit between Barcelona and Atletico continues to heat up. Both teams must shift focus quickly—Barcelona indicates they will analyze their defensive approach to prevent such late-game collapses, and Atletico will ride the momentum of this last-minute equalizer as they prepare for the next clash.
Fans eagerly await what promises to be another epic battle between these two Spanish football giants, as the rivalry intensifies not only for the cup but also for their standings within La Liga.