Atletico Madrid delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Barcelona in their Copa del Rey semifinal clash at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Thursday. The match was a complete display of dominance from Diego Simeone’s side, with Nigerian international Ademola Lookman playing a pivotal role in the triumph.
The game kicked off with an early shock for Barcelona, as defender Eric Garcia inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, giving Atletico a 1-0 lead within the first minute. This early mistake set the tone for the rest of the match.
Antoine Griezmann doubled the advantage in the 14th minute, finishing coolly inside the box after a precise pass. Atletico’s momentum continued, and in the 33rd minute, Lookman netted his first goal of the evening. Giuliano Simeone passed the ball to Julian Alvarez, who in turn set up Lookman to score, marking his second goal in two consecutive games for the club.
Just before halftime, Lookman turned provider, setting up Alvarez again in the dying seconds of the first half. Alvarez’s strike from the edge of the box completed a remarkable first-half performance, bringing the scoreline to 4-0.
Lookman, fresh off his strong performances in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, continued to carry that form into his Spanish football career. He has now been directly involved in four goals in just three appearances for Atletico, including a goal and assist in his Copa del Rey debut against Real Betis.
Barcelona, on the other hand, struggled to create significant chances throughout the match. Despite efforts from Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo, who both tested Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso, they were unable to break down the solid Atletico defense. Multiple set pieces and corner kicks were efficiently dealt with by the hosts, leaving Barcelona with few opportunities to claw back into the game.
As the second half unfolded, Atletico’s dominance remained unchallenged. Lookman and Alvarez continued to threaten Barcelona, with Lookman particularly dangerous in his playmaking role. Barcelona, despite some sporadic attacking moments, never truly looked like they could get back into the contest.
The defeat leaves Barcelona with a mountain to climb in the return leg, while Atletico Madrid look set to advance comfortably to the Copa del Rey final, barring an unexpected collapse.
The match saw Atletico Madrid extend their excellent form in domestic cup competitions, further cementing their status as one of Spain’s elite clubs.
