On February 25, 2025, FC Barcelona faced off against Atlético Madrid at the Estadi Olimpíc Lluís Companys for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. With both teams ranked among the best in La Liga, this matchup held significant stakes, not just for the tournament but for local bragging rights. Barcelona, the current La Liga leaders, entered the match with hopes of avenging their recent league defeat to Atlético.
The match kicked off with considerable excitement, as the atmosphere cranked up under the bright Catalan lights. Just within the first six minutes, Atlético Madrid struck twice, showcasing their attacking prowess and catching Barcelona off guard. Julian Alvarez opened the scoring early, converting from close range after some clever buildup play. Soon after, Antoine Griezmann doubled Atlético's lead, finishing expertly past Barcelona's Wojciech Szczesny, leaving the Catalans reeling.
Despite the rocky start, the Blaugrana didn't hang their heads for long. Fueled by the energy of the home crowd, they began to control possession, gradually finding their rhythm. By the 19th minute, Pedri struck back for Barcelona, netting with well-placed precision after receiving the ball from Jules Koundé, closing the gap to 2-1.
Moments later, the Barcelona attack continued to press the Atlético defense. Raphinha was particularly instrumental, providing key passes and assists throughout the match. From one corner, Raphinha found Cubarsi, who equalized shortly thereafter, sending waves of relief through the stands as the score reached 2-2.
The excitement peaked just before halftime, when Barcelona took the lead with another stunning goal. This time, it was Iñigo Martínez who capitalized on defensive lapses from Atlético to score the third goal—his header from another corner proving decisive. With the first half ending 3-2, fans knew they had witnessed something special.
Transitioning smoothly to the second half, both teams returned to the field with renewed determination. Atlético sought to regain their composure and link up effectively. Diego Simeone made strategic substitutions, including bringing on Lino and Reinildo to add fresh legs and energy.
Yet, Barcelona's momentum seemed unwavering as they maintained greater possession and pressed against Atlético's backline. With each passing minute, the Catalans created more chances, tantalizing the fans with near misses and exciting plays. Lamine Yamal shone brightly for Barcelona, displaying his dribbling skills, and testing Atlético keeper Juan Musso repeatedly.
Despite some close calls, including missed opportunities from Ferran Torres, the score remained unchanged. Barcelona's defense held firm against Atlético's attempts to counterattack, with Szczesny making impressive saves to neutralize Griezmann and Alvarez's advances. The pressure was palpable as both teams pushed to find the back of the net.
Deep within the closing minutes of the game, both teams had their moments to secure their leg up for the return fixture. The tension soared as each throw-in and corner could potentially swing the result. Griezmann attempted to ignite hope for Atlético with his relentless counter-attacks but found himself thwarted by Barcelona's strategic organization.
When the final whistle blew, the score held at 3-2, putting Barcelona at the advantage heading back to the second leg of the semifinal. The players exchanged high fives, celebrating their hard-fought comeback and revitalizing their aspirations of lifting the Copa del Rey trophy this season. With both clubs having experiences so rich, the anticipation for the return fixture was already brewing among fans and pundits alike.
This semifinal clash will surely be remembered as one of the most thrilling chapters of recent Copa del Rey history, showcasing the rivalry's depth and the competitive nature of Spanish football.