Atlético Madrid Run Riot as Ademola Lookman Shines in 4-0 Copa Rout of FC Barcelona
Atlético Madrid delivered a stunning first-leg performance in the Copa del Rey semi-final, thrashing holders Barcelona 4-0 at the Metropolitano to take full control of the tie.
An early own goal by Eric Garcia set the tone for Diego Simeone’s side before Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, and Julián Álvarez all struck in a devastating first-half display. Barcelona’s miserable night was compounded late on when Garcia was sent off, leaving the Catalans with a mountain to climb ahead of the return leg at Camp Nou on March 3.
Atletico wasted no time asserting themselves. Just seven minutes in, Garcia’s misplaced pass bobbled awkwardly on the uneven pitch and slipped under goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s foot. Although Lookman bundled the ball into the net to make sure, the goal was officially recorded as an own goal.
The hosts continued to slice through Barcelona’s high defensive line with ease. Griezmann, facing his former club, coolly slid home the second after another incisive move, with Lookman and Giuliano Simeone stretching the visitors’ backline with relentless pace.
Barcelona briefly threatened a response when Fermin Lopez rattled the crossbar, but it remained one-way traffic. Atletico nearly added a third before the break, only for Jules Kounde to clear Álvarez’s effort off the line. The reprieve was short-lived as the home side maintained total control heading into halftime.
Barcelona believed they had pulled one back in the second half through Pau Cubarsí, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a lengthy VAR review. Any lingering hope faded in the closing stages when Eric Garcia received a red card for hauling down Alex Baena after a poor pass from Ferran Torres left him exposed.
Chances continued to flow at both ends in a frantic finish, with Alexander Sorloth and Torres missing opportunities, but Atletico comfortably preserved their commanding advantage.
With their La Liga campaign faltering and Champions League prospects uncertain, the Copa del Rey now represents Atletico’s clearest path to silverware this season and on this evidence, Simeone’s men look determined to seize it.
In the other semi-final first leg on Wednesday, Real Sociedad edged Athletic Bilbao 1-0.
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