The much-anticipated Copa del Rey semi-final first leg between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid ended dramatically with both teams sharing the spoils at 4-4. This thrilling encounter was marked by swift attacks and stunning goals, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The match kicked off at Camp Nou, and it took only 50 seconds for Atlético's Julián Álvarez to strike first. The forward, who has been in fine form, capitalized on Barcelona's slow start, nudging the ball past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny from close range. Just five minutes later, Antoine Griezmann doubled Atlético's lead, showcasing his finishing ability with a clinical shot from inside the box.
Despite the early setbacks, Barcelona showed resilience. The equalizer came through Pedri at the 19-minute mark, who cleverly slotted home after receiving the ball from Lamine Yamal and Jules Koundé’s well-worked play. The momentum shifted even more when Pau Cubarsí netted with his header from Raphinha’s corner, leveling the score within two minutes of Pedri’s goal.
Barcelona's comeback was on full display before halftime when Iñigo Martínez added their third with another header, this time from a corner kick, making it 3-2. With Barcelona dominating the latter part of the first half, they secured their first lead of the match courtesy of Robert Lewandowski's goal just after the hour mark, bringing the scoreline to 4-2.
But just as it seemed Barcelona would stroll to victory, Atlético Madrid proved their mettle. Marcos Llorente pulled one back with a powerful shot from the edge of the box at the 84th minute, narrowing the gap to just one goal. The tension built as the clock ticked away, and deep in stoppage time, sub Alexander Sørloth stepped up for the visitors. After breaking behind the Barcelona defense, he finished with composure, sealing the incredible comeback and making it 4-4.
After the match, Sørloth expressed his confidence, stating, "I woke up this morning and knew I would score", reflecting on his impressive record against Barcelona this season.
This thrilling match has set the stage for the second leg, which will take place at Atlético Madrid's home ground on March 16. Both teams will enter the second game with everything to play for, knowing they now have everything riding on advancing to the final.
Football fans eagerly await the return leg, as this high-scoring encounter showcased the attacking prowess and determination of both sides all set on lifting the Copa del Rey trophy.