The first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid ended in a draw. Alexander Sörloth saved the visitors’ draw late on in an eight-goal thriller.
The top game between La Liga leaders Barcelona and third-placed Atletico in the cup had been eagerly awaited and delivered what it had promised from the first second. Right from the kick-off, the guests pushed forward, with Julian Alvarez missing the first opportunity after 20 seconds, but the Argentine went on to score from the subsequent corner in the 1st minute to get the visitors off to a flying start.
However, the Catalans would go from 48 seconds to six minutes of forgetfulness. The Rojiblancos’ second attack also found the back of the net. This time, Alvarez set up and served Griezmann, who completed the exemplary counterattack to make it 2-0. An absolute dream start for Diego Simeone’s team, who was initially vindicated in his five changes after the 3-0 win in Valencia.
Barca also scores twice
However, Barcelona did not let the double setback bother them. The Blaugrana stayed true to themselves and created their first big chance through Ferran Torres, who almost made a poor effort of it (12′ ). Top striker Lewandowski, whom Hansi Flick had ordered on the bench for Ferran Torres as one of four starting eleven players from the 2-0 win at Las Palmas, might have done more with the situation.
However, Barca did not have to worry about the miss for long – and then scored twice within 90 seconds. First, Pedri finished a move down the right with a well-placed shot (19′), then home-grown Cubarsi headed in his first professional goal after a corner against Barrios (21′).
The 2-2 was not enough for Barcelona. With over 60 percent possession in the first half, the hosts dominated the game and continued to push forward at Atleticos keeper Musso’s goal. On a second big chance, Ferran Torres was lucky (32nd), but on another corner kick, his defense left him completely alone (41st). His save just before half-time against Lamine Yamal (45.+3) therefore only ensured that the Catalans went into the break with a 3-2 lead.
Lewandowski comes and scores
In the second half, the picture and initially the personnel remained unchanged. Barca played, Atletico quickly switched over. For example in minute 52, when Griezmann found Szczesny his master, and in the 72nd minute, when Llorente broke through and Joker Sörloth put on the supposed equalizer. However, the assistant’s flag went up immediately: Llorente had clearly started too early.
And Barcelona? Despite controlling the game, they no longer had the big chances. Again and again, the crucial centimeters were missing in the final pass (51st, 61st), and Lamine Yamal unsuccessfully pleaded for a penalty kick after a duel with Samuel Lino (57th).
Things went better for the young Spaniard in the 74th minute, when he set up the now-substituted Lewandowski with a fine action, who easily put it 4-2 (74). The ex-Bavarian almost followed up with a lightning double. But Raphinha’s input pushed him under duress past the goal (76.).
Sörtloth again later spoilsport
Atletico Madrid seemed at this point like the sure loser of this first leg. Also because Barca was on the verge of scoring their fifth goal with a free-kick (83′). However, the Rojiblancos had not given up – quite the opposite: Llorente’s powerful goal (84′) heralded a final offensive by the visitors, in which history was to repeat itself.
After Correa had missed the equalizer (88′), it was up to Sörloth – as in the 2-1 away win for Madrid in December. Deep into stoppage time, he was right and converted the 4-4 final score of the wild rollercoaster ride in Barcelona (90+3).
FC Barcelona thus missed out on gaining an advantage for the second leg at home – and will face the next cup semi-finalist directly on Sunday. The Catalans host Real Sociedad from 4:15 p.m. Atletico will face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening (9 p.m.) and should have a tailwind from what feels like a victory. The return match in the Copa del Rey will then take place on April 2.
