Barcelona staged an incredible comeback against Atletico Madrid, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in the Copa del Rey semi-final on February 25, 2025, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. This thrilling encounter was marked by five first-half goals, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
The match began with Atletico Madrid racing to an early lead, scoring two stunning goals. Julian Alvarez opened the scoring just 46 seconds in, capitalizing on defensive lapses from Barcelona, followed shortly by Antoine Griezmann’s header, leaving the Catalan side seemingly on the back foot.
Not to be disheartened, Barcelona responded aggressively. With their fans roaring, Pedri pulled one back at the 20-minute mark, illustrating the resilience of this squad. The young midfielder deftly finished after expertly receiving a cutback from Jules Kounde, igniting hopes of a comeback.
Just moments later, the momentum shifted dramatically when Pau Cubarsí scored his first-ever goal for the club with a powerful header from Raphinha’s corner kick, leveling the match at 2-2. The stadium erupted, and it seemed like the tide had turned.
Remarkably, the comeback didn’t stop there. Iñigo Martínez found the back of the net shortly before halftime, pushing Barcelona to a surprising 3-2 lead. The left-back, capitalizing on poor marking from the Atletico defense, snuck behind Marcos Llorente to head home the ball from another corner. Fans couldn’t believe their eyes, watching their team come alive with three goals within rapid succession.
While Martinez's goal lit up Montjuic, it was not without controversy. Atletico players protested vehemently to the referee, claiming there was a foul prior to the corner due to Cubarsí blocking Llorente’s run. The Spanish referee, Hernández Hernández, allowed the goal to stand, which led to visible frustration among the Atletico ranks. "The question is whether it is a foul or not, but the block is certainly there," commentator Miguel Martín Talavera remarked, highlighting the contentious nature of the match. Former referee, Iturralde González added, "Blocking is against the rules, leaving it up to Hernández Hernández to interpret whether Cubarsí’s actions constituted a block."
Atletico's coach, Diego Simeone, and his team confronted the officials at halftime demanding explanations following the tumultuous turn of events. Even as the main objects of controversy unfolded, the game continued to showcase relentless energy from both sides.
Upon returning for the second half, the game remained electric, albeit with fewer goals. Barcelona continued to push, seeking to solidify their lead. A potential penalty for Barcelona arose with Lamine Yamal falling awkwardly after contact with Samu Lino, but again the referee waved away appeals for infraction. Gonzalez insisted the right call was made, noting Yamal lost the ball prior to going down.
The match concluded with Barcelona triumphing 3-2, booking their spot for the Copa del Rey Final. The players and fans celebrated as they clashed swords with their long-standing rivals. The outcome marked not just another victory but also reiterated the spirit and determination of the Barcelona team.
With this comeback etched in history, Barcelona now turns its attention toward the final, hoping to build on this momentum and secure silverware this season. Currently, Atletico must regroup and assess their performance, reflecting on the key moments where the game slipped away.
This electrifying match serves as a reminder of why football is loved worldwide, embodying the thrill of the game—never count out the underdog, and always anticipate the unexpected.