FC Barcelona Defeated In A Terrible Copa Del Ray Semi-Final

MADRID—Barcelona’s bid for a Copa del Rey final berth was left in tatters on Wednesday night after a calamitous 4-0 first-leg semi-final rout at the hands of Atlético de Madrid. The league-leading Catalans arrived at the Metropolitano as heavy favorites, but a stunning seven-minute own goal set the tone for a night that spiraled into disaster.

The opener arrived in cruel fashion: Eric García’s back-pass skipped past stranded goalkeeper Joan García and trickled over the line, an own goal credited to the defender. Atlético smelled blood and doubled the advantage when Antoine Griezmann finished a flowing move. Ademola Lookman’s 33rd-minute strike stretched the margin to three, and Julián Álvarez’s clinical finish on the stroke of halftime capped a merciless opening 45 minutes.

Barcelona emerged after the break desperate for a lifeline and thought they had one when Pau Cubarsí smashed home after Lamine Yamal was fouled, but a five-minute VAR review ruled the effort offside. Eric García’s miserable evening ended with a straight red card for a reckless foul, leaving the visitors down to ten men and facing an insurmountable task.

Atlético could have piled on further pain, yet the 4-0 scoreline already feels decisive ahead of the 3 March return leg at Montjuïc. Barcelona, unbeaten atop La Liga, must now summon a historic comeback to keep their cup dreams alive.