FC Barcelona faced Atlético de Madrid in a Copa del Rey semi-final this week. As the leaders of La Liga, Barcelona was seen as the favorite. However, the match turned out poorly for them.
A Tough Start
Atlético came out strong, creating numerous opportunities and forcing Barcelona to defend. Just seven minutes into the match, disaster struck. Eric García passed the ball to goalkeeper Joan García, who failed to catch it, allowing it to roll into the goal for an own goal credited to Eric.
With an early disadvantage, Barcelona’s situation quickly deteriorated. Atlético, boosted by the score, scored again through Antoine Griezmann. They maintained pressure on Barcelona’s defense, and Ademola Lookman made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute.
Desperate to regroup, Barcelona had no choice but to continue playing, but Atlético found time to score again before halftime, this time by Julián Alvarez.
The Struggles Continue
Known for their comebacks, Barcelona returned with resolve after halftime. A foul on Lamine Yamal led to Pau Cubarsí scoring, giving Barcelona a glimmer of hope. However, after a lengthy review, the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving the score at 4-0.
Jun 23, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Atletico De Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann (7) reacts after the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
As the game neared its end, Eric received a red card for a serious foul, leaving Barcelona with just ten players. Tensions flared, and the referee issued several yellow cards as emotions ran high.
Barcelona’s Challenging Match
This match was one of Barcelona’s weakest performances of the season, with struggles evident throughout the game. They still have a chance in the Copa del Rey, with the second leg of the semi-final scheduled for March 3rd at home. However, overcoming such a significant defeat will be difficult.