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Report, result, goals, highlights as hosts thrash Barca in Copa del Rey

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Report, result, goals, highlights as hosts thrash Barca in Copa del Rey

Atletico Madrid scored four first-half goals to dismantle Barcelona and hand visiting manager Hansi Flick his first-ever Copa del Rey defeat as Diego Simeone’s side gave themselves a commanding lead in the semi-finals at the Metropolitano Stadium.

In an astonishing end to Barca’s six-match winning run in all competitions, visiting goalkeeper Joan Garcia miscontrolled a routine Eric Garcia backpass to score a sixth-minute own goal before Antoine Griezmann struck in the 14th minute from Nahuel Molina’s pass.

Fermin Lopez shot against the crossbar for the La Liga leaders, who then needed Jules Kounde to clear off the line from Julian Alvarez, only for Ademola Lookman to continue his impressive start to his Atleti career by sweeping in to make the scoreline 3-0 after 33 mins.

Lookman teed up Julian Alvarez to fire in the fourth during added time before the break, with Garcia compounding Barcelona’s misery by receiving a straight red card five minutes from time for a challenge on Alex Baena.

You can also see stats from the Copa del Rey match here.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: Can Barca recover from thrashing?

Barcelona fell 2-0 behind in a 4-4 first leg draw when these teams met in the Copa del Rey final last season, winning the return match 1-0 before beating Real Madrid in the final.

Their hopes of a considerably greater comeback look slim after manager Hansi Flick’s first defeat in the competition, with counterpart Diego Simeone frequently charging along the touchline to celebrate a sensational performance by his team.

Fermin Lopez sent a shot against the crossbar for Barcelona after Atleti’s second and Pau Cubarsi thought he had replied with a neat finish after the break, only for Robert Lewandowski – sent on for midfielder Marc Casado in the 37th minute – to be ruled offside.

The Video Assistant Referee check to disallow the goal lasted a suitably farcical length of time for the teams to start warming up again while their wait went on, but there was less doubt about the nature of Atleti’s win as the hosts stormed to an exhilarating win that will become a famous one if they reach a final against Real Sociedad or Athletic Club.

Tensions boiled over after Garcia’s dismissal, with Simeone on the pitch as a skirmish broke out between several players.

Atletico Madrid confirmed starting team vs Barcelona

Marc Pubill returned for Atleti after missing their 1-0 home defeat to Betis in La Liga on Sunday through illness.

The visitors made four changes, including Juan Musso starting in goal in place of Jan Oblak. Nahuel Molina joined Pubill in defence, with Antoine Griezmann in attack.

Jose Maria Gimenez, Thiago Almada and Rodri Mendoza moved to the bench. Johnny Cardoso was out with a muscle injury and Pablo had a thigh problem.

Atletico Madrid starting XI: Juan Musso, Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri, Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Ademola Lookman, Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez

Atleti substitutes: Salvi Esquivel, Jose Maria Gimenez, Rodrigo Mendoza, Alexander Sorloth, Alex Baena, Thiago Almada, Jan Oblak, Clement Lenglet, Obed Vargas, Nico Gonzalez, Robin Le Normand

Diego Simeone

Barcelona confirmed starting team vs Atletico Madrid

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong had been a doubt with a groin problem but captained Barca, who made two changes from their 3-0 home win over Mallorca on Saturday.

England striker Marcus Rashford had a knee issue and was replaced by Ferran Torres, while De Jong – who was an unused substitute – came in for Robert Lewandowski, who was on the bench.

Defender Andreas Christensen and forward Raphinha were out injured, as were midfielders Gavi and Pedri.

Barcelona starting XI: Joan Garcia, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo

Barca substitutes: Wojciech Szczesny, Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, Gerard Martin, Roony Bardghji, Marc Bernal, Jofre Torrents, Diego Kochen, Juan Hernandez, Tomas Marques

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona stats

  • Barca have won the Copa del Rey more times than anyone else (32 to Athletic Club’s 24 and Real Madrid’s 20) and reached the final most often (43 to Real Madrid’s 41)
  • In 14 of their previous 20 meetings with Spanish sides, they had netted at least three goals each time
  • A 1-0 home defeat by Leganes on December 15 2024 remains the last time Barcelona failed to score against a Spanish club
  • Third in La Liga, Atleti arrived on a run of one win in four matches in all competitions (D1 L2)
  • They are the fourth-most successful team in Copa del Rey history, winning the competition 10 times
  • Atleti have failed to make the final since their 2012/13 triumph, although two of their four semi-final appearances along the way have come in the last two seasons
  • In that thrilling semi-final last season, Atleti went 2-0 ahead after six minutes in their first leg at Barca before falling 4-2 behind and eventually salvaging a 4-4 draw courtesy of Alexander Sorloth’s 93rd-minute equaliser
  • Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the return match, with Barca proceeding to beat Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time in the final
  • Since their first meeting in the 1924/25 competition, the teams have met in 25 knockout ties
  • Barcelona have progressed on 15 occasions to Atleti’s 10
  • In each of the last four Copa meetings (2009, 2015, 2017 and 2025), Barca have advanced and gone on to lift the trophy

What’s next for these teams? Atletico Madrid, Barcelona fixtures

Atleti visit relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday (15:15), a day before Barca travel to midtable Girona (20:00).

The second leg of the semi-final is on March 3 (20:00). Sociedad won 1-0 at Athletic Club in the first final-four match on Wednesday, with those teams meeting again on March 4 (20:00).

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