In a match that will be remembered for a long time, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid fought to a dramatic 4-4 draw in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. The game was full of twists and turns, with both teams coming back from two-goal deficits to leave the tie wide open ahead of the second leg.
Early Atletico Dominance
The match started with a bang as Atletico Madrid took control early on. Julián Álvarez scored just one minute into the game, and Antoine Griezmann added another goal in the sixth minute. This left Barcelona trailing 2-0 and facing a tough challenge to get back into the game.
Barcelona's Impressive Comeback
However, Barcelona showed great spirit and determination. They quickly turned the game around with two goals in two minutes. Pedri scored in the 19th minute, followed by Pau Cubarsí's header in the 21st minute, leveling the score at 2-2. Before halftime, Iñigo Martínez headed home another goal from a corner, giving Barcelona a 3-2 lead.
Barcelona Takes Control
In the second half, Barcelona continued to push forward. Robert Lewandowski extended their lead to 4-2 with a tap-in goal in the 74th minute. It seemed like Barcelona would take a comfortable lead into the second leg, but Atletico had other plans.
Atletico's Late Fightback
Atletico Madrid refused to give up. Marcos Llorente scored in the 84th minute, reducing the deficit to one goal. Then, in the third minute of stoppage time, substitute Alexander Sorloth scored the equalizer, making it 4-4. This dramatic finish left both teams with everything to play for in the return leg.
Post-Match Reactions
Barcelona midfielder Pedri expressed disappointment at not holding onto their lead. "It's the most disappointing outcome after leading 4-2," he said. "We must exercise more caution and learn how to prevent this from happening."
Atletico forward Julián Álvarez praised his team's resilience.
"We never back down," he stated. "We consistently maintain our resolve and believe in our ability to recover."
What's Next?
The second leg of this thrilling tie will take place at Atletico's Metropolitano Stadium on April 2. The winner will face either Real Madrid or Real Sociedad in the final. Both Barcelona and Atletico are eager to lift the Copa del Rey trophy, with Barcelona last winning it in 2021 and Atletico in 2013.
This match showed that both teams have the spirit and talent to go all the way in the competition. The return leg promises to be just as exciting, with both sides determined to secure a spot in the final.
Key Stats:
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Goals: Julián Álvarez (1'), Antoine Griezmann (6'), Pedri (19'), Pau Cubarsí (21'), Iñigo Martínez (41'), Robert Lewandowski (74'), Marcos Llorente (84'), Alexander Sorloth (90'+3')
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Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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