Atlético de Madrid Crushes Barcelona in the Copa del Rey
Atlético de Madrid delivered a memorable performance by thrashing Barcelona with a resounding 4-0 victory in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals, played at the Metropolitano stadium. The result puts Atlético in a privileged position to reach the tournament final.
The match was quickly defined. In the 6th minute, an own goal by Eric García, after a pass back to goalkeeper Joan García, opened the scoring (1-0). The lead was extended in the 14th minute when Griezmann, assisted by Nahuel Molina, scored the second goal (2-0). Lookman, in the 33rd minute, with an assist from Julián Álvarez, increased the tally (3-0). Julián Álvarez, in the 47th minute, completed the rout with a powerful shot from outside the area (4-0).
In the second half, Barcelona tried to react. Cubarsí scored a goal in the 52nd minute, but it was disallowed by VAR due to an offside by Lewandowski, after a six-minute review. Barcelona’s situation became even more complicated in the 84th minute, when Eric García was sent off with a direct red card, also after VAR intervention, for a foul on Alex Baena.
The match, with ten minutes of stoppage time, went on until the 100th minute.
The second leg will be played on March 3 at Barcelona’s stadium.
