February 25 marked an electrifying encounter as FC Barcelona faced off against Atlético Madrid at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal. The match concluded with an astonishing 4-4 draw, captivating fans with breathtaking moments of football.
The match kicked off dramatically with Atlético's Julián Álvarez scoring just 47 seconds after the referee's whistle, setting the tone for what would be one of the most thrilling matches of the season. A well-executed corner by Antoine Griezmann found Álvarez, who netted his fifth goal of the tournament, stunning the home crowd early on.
Only six minutes later, Griezmann was at the center of action again, setting up Mikel Oyarzabal for Atlético's second goal. Barça looked shaken, now trailing by two goals before they could settle. Interestingly, this marked Barcelona's first time conceding two goals at home within the first six minutes of any competitive match in over 123 years.
Barcelona, undeterred by the early setback, rallied back with Pedri scoring the first of their four goals at the 19th minute, followed closely by Pau Kubarci leveling the score just two minutes later. The home team displayed resilience, and their confidence surged as the crowd began to rally behind them.
Despite Atlético's initial dominance, the match saw continuous ebb and flow, with Iñigo Martínez putting Barcelona ahead by 3-2 late in the first half. Robert Lewandowski added to the tally with a well-placed shot at the 74th minute, seemingly securing victory for Barcelona at 4-2.
But as history would dictate, Atlético Madrid is known for their formidable spirit, and they showcased it once again during this match. Marcos Llorente capitalized on some defensive sloppiness to pull Atlético back within one goal before Alexander Sørloth brought the score to 4-4 deep in stoppage time, showcasing Atlético's tenacity and enduring fighting spirit.
Statistics reflected the competitiveness of the match, with Barcelona outshooting Atlético 9 to 7 on target and holding 67% of possession. But as any football fan knows, the match is not always won by stats alone. Atlético's game intensity and tactical discipline paid dividends, demonstrating their known resilience.
This match counts as particularly special for Griezmann, who scored against Barcelona for the first time since his return to Atlético Madrid from Barcelona, where he played from 2018 to 2021. The striker's emotional connection to both clubs gives added weight to his performance amid the high stakes of this tournament.
The atmosphere at the stadium was charged, generating palpable excitement for the return encounter set for April 2 at Atlético's home ground, Estadio Metropolitano. Fans from both sides will have plenty to discuss until they meet again, and each team will likely come back with tactical adjustments after this high-scoring encounter.
Overall, the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal cemented itself as one of the most electrifying matches of the season, featuring top talents from both squads and foreshadowing an equally riveting second leg. The final outcome will determine who moves closer to the coveted trophy but for now, the stage is set for one of the most anticipated rematches of the year.