LOOKMAN ON TARGET AS ATLETICO HUMILIATE BARCA 4-0 IN COPA DEL REY FIRST LEG

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By: Sefiu Ajape

Atletico Madrid delivered a sensational first-half performance to overwhelm La Liga leaders Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.

The hosts struck four times before the break in a dominant display that left Barcelona reeling and facing a daunting task in the return fixture.

Barcelona’s miserable evening included a lengthy VAR intervention in the second half that denied them a potential consolation goal. Pau Cubarsi thought he had pulled one back, but after an eight-minute review — equalling a VAR record — his effort was ruled out for offside.

The tie marked the second consecutive year both sides have met at this stage of the competition. Barcelona triumphed last season on their way to lifting the trophy for a record 32nd time, but this time Diego Simeone’s men seized control in emphatic fashion.

Atletico’s opener set the tone for the night. Eric Garcia’s backpass slipped under goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s foot and rolled into the net for an own goal.

Antoine Griezmann doubled the advantage in the 14th minute, curling in a superb finish against his former club to extend his tally as the competition’s top scorer this season.

From that point, Atletico dictated proceedings and threatened with every forward move. Although Fermin Lopez struck the woodwork for Barcelona, clear chances were few and far between for the visitors.

The third goal arrived in the 33rd minute after Giuliano Simeone surged down the right and fed Julian Alvarez, who squared for Ademola Lookman to fire home his second goal in as many matches for his new club.

Alvarez then ended an 11-game, two-month goal drought in first-half stoppage time, unleashing a powerful long-range strike that flew into the net.

Barcelona believed they had reduced the deficit in the second half when Cubarsi converted from close range after a pass from Robert Lewandowski. However, a prolonged VAR review—so lengthy that goalkeepers were given balls to stay warm—ultimately ruled the effort out for offside. The delay matched the eight-minute VAR stoppage recorded during Bournemouth’s FA Cup win over Wolves last season.

Barcelona’s night deteriorated further when Eric Garcia was sent off five minutes from time following a VAR review for a foul on substitute Alex Baena as he raced toward goal.

The heavy defeat leaves Barcelona with a major challenge ahead of the return leg at home on 3 March against the 10-time Copa del Rey winners.