Atletico Madrid took a commanding step towards the Copa del Rey final with a stunning 4-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their semifinal on Thursday.
The hosts scored all four goals in a dominant first half, leaving the defending champions with a near-impossible task in the return leg at Camp Nou on March 3.
Diego Simeone’s side seized control early, punishing a costly mistake in the sixth minute. Barcelona defender Eric Garcia played a routine back pass, but goalkeeper Joan Garcia misjudged it and the ball rolled into the net despite a desperate late dive.
Atletico doubled their lead eight minutes later after a slick team move. Ademola Lookman started the attack from the left before Julian Alvarez switched play to Nahuel Molina. The right-back found Antoine Griezmann, who calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner.
The third goal came in the 33rd minute from another swift counter-attack. Giuliano Simeone broke down the right and crossed low for Alvarez, who set up Lookman to score from close range.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick introduced Robert Lewandowski before half-time, but Atletico struck again moments later. Lookman and Alvarez combined once more, with the Argentine forward firing a powerful shot into the top corner to make it 4-0.
Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso denied Fermin Lopez early in the second half as Barcelona searched for a response. The visitors briefly thought they had scored in the 52nd minute, but Pau Cubarsi’s effort was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review.
Atletico remained in control and almost added a fifth late on. Substitute Alex Baena was brought down while through on goal in the 86th minute, leading to Eric Garcia being sent off after the referee reviewed the incident.
“It was crazy, especially against Barcelona,” Atletico defender Marcos Llorente told Movistar Plus. “Everything worked for us.”
The winner of the tie will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao in the final. Real Sociedad lead 1-0 ahead of the second leg in San Sebastian on March 4.
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