Barcelona and Atlético Madrid Battle to 4-4 Draw in Copa del Rey Semi-Final

BARCELONA, Spain — In a thrilling opening leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid fought to a dramatic 4-4 draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on February 25, 2025. The match saw both teams exchange leads within moments, creating a contest filled with goals and excitement.

The Atlético Madrid side took an early advantage, scoring twice within the first five minutes. Julián Álvarez netted the opener from a corner kick taken by Antoine Griezmann, and Griezmann himself doubled the lead shortly after with a quick counterattack. Barcelona, seemingly shocked at the outset, rallied to respond quickly.

Barcelona’s Pedri initiated the comeback, redirecting a cross from Jules Koundé into the net to make it 1-2. Just a minute later, Pau Cubarsí leveled the score with a header from a corner, and Iñigo Martínez put Barcelona ahead 3-2 before the half ended, also scoring from a set piece.

“We had to remain focused after the early goals,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick after the match. “But I’m proud of how the team rallied back to take the lead.”

In the second half, Robert Lewandowski extended the lead to 4-2 shortly after being substituted in, sliding a shot into the net from an assist by Lamine Yamal, who dazzled throughout the match. However, Atlético refused to surrender, with Marcos Llorente cutting the deficit to 4-3 with a powerful shot in the 83rd minute.

As the match approached stoppage time, Alexander Sorloth delivered a dramatic equalizer for Atlético, converting a pass from Samuel Lino. “We kept believing in ourselves and fought until the last minute,” Sorloth said after the game. “This team knows how to compete, and we are ready for the return leg.”

The tension was palpable in the final minutes, with opportunities for both sides to secure the win. However, neither team could capitalize, resulting in a breathless finish to a spectacular match.

Reflecting on the draw, Atlético Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone noted, “This was a very tough contest against a powerful side. We showed our character and resilience, and we will build from this as we prepare for the second leg.”

The second leg of the semi-final will be played on April 2 at the Estadio Metropolitano, with both teams eager to secure a spot in the Copa del Rey final.