Barcelona and Atlético Madrid faced off on February 25, 2025, in one of the most electrifying matches of the Copa del Rey semifinal. Playing at the historic Estadio Olímpico de Montjuic, the two clubs went head-to-head, both eager to secure their spot at the final.
The match started with immediate fireworks as Julian Alvarez of Atlético Madrid put his team on the scoreboard before the first minute had elapsed. Following a corner, Alvarez was well-positioned to tap the ball home, surprising the Barcelona defense and sending the visiting fans wild. Just six minutes later, Alvarez continued his excellent form, assisting Antoine Griezmann for the second goal, driving the momentum firmly behind the Colchoneros.
Despite the early setbacks, Barcelona quickly regrouped. They began clawing back just 19 minutes in when Pedri leveled the score at 1-2 with fine placement following Koundé's low cross. This initial momentum for the Catalans was followed by rapid-fire goals from Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez, swinging the score to 3-2 before halftime.
The game was characterized by alternating stretches of pressure and attacking flair from both sides, making it clear this would not be just another Copa del Rey semifinal. With the first half ending with Barcelona leading 3-2, the second half promised even more action.
Even as Barcelona took the lead, Atlético Madrid's tenacity shone through. With just under fifteen minutes remaining, Lamine Yamal linked up beautifully with Robert Lewandowski, who extended Barcelona's lead with their fourth goal of the night, pushing the score to 4-2.
But Atlético refused to roll over, displaying their determination. Marcos Llorente pulled one back after bursting through the Barcelona defense, narrowing the gap to 4-3. The tension peaked deep inside injury time when Alexander Sørloth capitalized on a defensive oversight to smash the ball home, bringing the final score to 4-4, leaving the series perfectly poised for the second leg on April 2 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Historically, the rivalry between these clubs is steeped with tightly contested matches. The last few encounters have highlighted Barcelona’s slight edge, having won six of the last ten clashes. Overall, Atlético Madrid has recorded 8 wins to Barcelona's 12 across 25 total encounters, showing how evenly matched their Cup history has been.
This match did not only live up to expectations—it surpassed them with offers of sheer intensity and poignant narratives. Julian Alvarez’s standout performance brought much-needed inspiration to Atlético as they look forward to the home leg, where the stakes will only increase. Both fanbases are now buzzing for the return leg, as the illustrious tournament nears its climax.
Anticipation continues to build as supporters from both teams rally behind their clubs, hoping for Copa del Rey glory. Barça fans remain hopeful of turning the tide at the Metropolitano, where they will either secure their progression to yet another final or see their rivals triumph once more. With everything to play for, the second leg is set to be another thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry.