Atlético Madrid put one foot in the Copa del Rey final after a stunning first-half blitz gave them a 4-0 lead over Barcelona in the semi-final first leg at the Metropolitano. Diego Simeone’s side scored four times before half-time, including an own goal from Eric García, to take a commanding advantage to the Camp Nou in three weeks.
“I’m not a wizard but I did believe that the team could play like this,” Simeone said after the match. “This will remain in the memory however the tie ends.” The goals came from Ademola Lookman, Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez, with García’s back pass sliding under goalkeeper Joan García’s foot for the opener after six minutes.
The first half was a whirlwind of energy and intensity, with Atlético pressing Barcelona from the first whistle. Giuliano Simeone’s early foul on Alejandro Balde set the tone, and the hosts created chance after chance. “There was an incredible energy in the stadium and life is energy,” Simeone added. Barcelona were overwhelmed, unable to cope with the relentless pressure.
Barcelona thought they had pulled one back after half-time when Pau Cubarsí scored, but a seven-minute VAR check ruled it out. Their task became even harder when Eric García was sent off late on. Hansi Flick admitted his side had been given a “great lesson” but vowed to fight in the second leg, outlining a plan for “2-0 in each half”.
Atletico’s performance was described as a perfect storm, with Lookman, Alvarez, and Griezmann tormenting Barcelona’s defence. “Enough had happened in the first half for an entire tie,” the report noted. Simeone remained cautious, aware that the tie is not over, but his side’s display left Barcelona with a mountain to climb.
