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Atletico Madrid Expose Barcelona’s Defense with Ruthless Four-Goal Display

Atletico Madrid inflicted a heavy defeat on their visitors Barcelona after beating them 4-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, leaving the reigning champions facing a daunting task ahead of the return leg. Diego Simeone’s side needed a perfect first half to settle the contest, capitalizing on costly defensive errors and the vast spaces left behind the Catalan back line.

The start was a nightmare for Barcelona, as the hosts took the lead in the sixth minute following a dreadful misplaced pass from Eric Garcia. The ball bizarrely slipped under the foot of goalkeeper Joan Garcia and ended up in the net, despite his late attempt to recover. Just eight minutes later, Atletico doubled their advantage with a well-worked move down the left flank through Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, who passed to Argentine Julian Alvarez before the ball reached compatriot Nahuel Molina. The latter cleverly laid it off for French forward Antoine Griezmann, who finished brilliantly into the corner.

Atletico continued to punish Barcelona’s attacking intent, adding a third goal in the 33rd minute through a swift counter-attack. Lookman applied the finishing touch with an unmarked strike after an impressive team move initiated by Giuliano Simeone and involving Alvarez. Before half-time, Alvarez struck again, converting a precise cross from Lookman with a powerful shot into the top corner, allowing the hosts to head into the break with a commanding lead despite Barcelona enjoying 70 per cent possession.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick attempted to respond by introducing Polish striker Robert Lewandowski before the interval, but the substitution failed to alter the course of the match. At the start of the second half, Barcelona searched for a way back into the game, with Argentine goalkeeper Juan Musso denying Fermin Lopez, while a Pau Cubarsi goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Atletico remained dangerous on the counter and nearly added a fifth in the closing stages, before the referee showed a red card to Eric Garcia after consulting VAR for a challenge on Alex Baena.

After the match, Flick described the defeat as a “wake-up call,” acknowledging the lack of cohesion and effective pressing among his players, while stressing that his team still has an opportunity to respond in the second leg at home. The German coach admitted Barcelona were second best from the outset and emphasized the need for a strong reaction in the return fixture.

Meanwhile, Simeone praised his players and the electric atmosphere at the Metropolitano, noting that the fans’ support played a key role in the emphatic victory and adding that nights like this remain etched in memory.

The winner of this tie will face the victor between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao in the final, with Sociedad having claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg.

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