FC Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid: A Thrilling 4-4 Draw in Copa del Rey

The first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid delivered a spectacle of goals, dramatic twists, and relentless action, ending in a 4-4 draw. The match, filled with momentum swings and individual brilliance, leaves the tie wide open ahead of the second leg in Madrid.

Early Shocks and Barcelona’s Response

The game began explosively, with Atlético Madrid taking the lead within the first minute through Julian Alvarez, following a well-executed set-piece initiated by Antoine Griezmann. Shortly after, Griezmann himself extended their lead, capitalizing on defensive errors from Barcelona. The early 0-2 scoreline stunned the home crowd and forced Barcelona to respond quickly.

Barcelona, initially shaken, gradually found their footing. Pedri initiated the comeback, scoring in the 19th minute after a fine move on the right wing and an assist from Jules Kounde. Just two minutes later, Pau Cubarsi, the 18-year-old, marked his first goal for the club by heading in from a Raphinha corner, leveling the score.

Set-Piece Dominance and Szczęsny’s Performance

Barcelona continued to press, and their dominance from set-pieces proved decisive again. Inigo Martinez headed in from another Raphinha corner, giving Barcelona a 3-2 lead before halftime.

In the second half, Wojciech Szczęsny, Barcelona’s goalkeeper, showcased his quality with a crucial save against Antoine Griezmann. He also demonstrated composure by dribbling past Julian Alvarez, earning applause from the stands.

Lewandowski’s Impact and Late Drama

Hansi Flick introduced Robert Lewandowski in the 68th minute, replacing Ferran Torres. The substitution paid off as Lewandowski scored in the 74th minute, increasing Barcelona’s lead to 4-2. The goal was largely thanks to Lamine Yamal’s impressive dribbling skills, which allowed him to set up Lewandowski for an easy finish.

Despite Barcelona’s comfortable lead, Atlético Madrid fought back in the final minutes. Marcos Llorente scored in the 84th minute, reducing the deficit, and Alexander Sorloth equalized in added time, securing a 4-4 draw. The late goals highlighted Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities and Atlético’s resilience.

Post-Match Analysis and Media Reaction

Spanish media outlets provided varied ratings for the players. Sport gave Pedri the highest rating (9/10), while Szczęsny received a 6 and Lewandowski a 7. Mundo Deportivo noted Szczęsny’s inconsistent performance and labeled Lewandowski a ‘goleador’. Marca rated Szczęsny at 5 and Lewandowski at 6.5.

Looking Ahead

With the score level at 4-4, the second leg in Madrid promises to be another thrilling encounter. Before that, Barcelona faces Real Sociedad in the league. The tie remains finely balanced, with both teams having shown their attacking strengths and defensive weaknesses.

Match Details

FC Barcelona – Atletico Madryt 4:4 (3:2)

Goals: Pedri (19), Cubarsi (21), Martinez (42), Lewandowski (74) – Alvarez (1), Griezmann (6), Llorente (84), Sorloth (90+3)