Barcelona and Atlético Madrid produced an exhilarating 4-4 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on February 25, 2025. The match encapsulated the sheer unpredictability of football, with both teams demonstrating remarkable resilience and attacking flair.
It started with Atlético Madrid springing to life almost immediately. Julian Alvarez opened the scoring just 46 seconds in, before Antoine Griezmann doubled their lead within six minutes, sending chills through the home crowd. The visitors seemed poised for victory, leaving Barcelona with significant ground to make up.
Yet, Barcelona displayed their characteristic fighting spirit. The first response came from young star Pedri, who found the back of the net with precision, finishing from a cutback by Jules Koundé at the 19-minute mark. Barely a minute later, Pau Cubarsí leveled the match with his first goal for the club, capitalizing on Raphinha's corner to head the ball home.
By the time Iñigo Martínez headed Barcelona to a 3-2 lead just before half-time, it was clear the home side had regained control of the match. Their fervent supporters erupted as the team went to the locker room with their tails up.
The second half witnessed more of the same drama. Barcelona extended their lead to 4-2 when Robert Lewandowski, showing impeccable timing, slotted home after Lamine Yamal's dazzling solo run and setup. With less than 20 minutes to go, it appeared as if the Catalans would take a significant advantage back to Madrid for the second leg.
But Atlético Madrid, driven by their determination and experience, refused to back down. Marcos Llorente ignited hope for the Rojiblancos with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, drawing the visitors to within one goal at 4-3 with six minutes remaining.
Then, with all eyes on the clock, the drama intensified. Alexander Sørloth, who had previously made headlines with last-gasp goals, struck again. The Norwegian forward equalized for Atlético Madrid deep in stoppage time, making it 4-4 and sending the traveling fans—and manager Diego Simeone—into wild celebration.
“Alexander Sørloth makes it 4-4 in the 93rd minute of a crazy Copa del Rey game,” reported ESPN FC, highlighting the nail-biting finish of the match.
Simeone's uncontainable excitement on the sidelines underscored how pivotal this equalizer was for Atlético. “Diego Simeone goes wild on the touchline as his side score an added-time equaliser,” noted Premier Sports, capturing the essence of the moment as the Atletico players rallied around each other.
The match has set the stage for what promises to be another thrilling encounter when the two teams meet again at the Estadio Metropolitano on April 2. This draw leaves everything to play for, creating tension and anticipation among the fans.
With such attacking prowess demonstrated by both teams, the return leg is sure to be just as exhilarating. Atlético Madrid and Barcelona have both shown they are capable of not just scoring but also coming back from seemingly insurmountable deficits, making their next confrontation one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures this season.
This Copa del Rey semi-final has truly captured the hearts of fans and showcased the essence of knockout football: excitement, unpredictability, and the relentless pursuit of glory.