Goalkeeper's gaffe as Barcelona concedes four goals in 1st half in big Copa loss to Atletico

MADRID — A calamitous first-half goalkeeping error set the tone for Barcelona’s collapse as they were routed 4-0 by Atlético Madrid in Thursday’s opening leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals at the Metropolitano. The early blunder left the visitors reeling, and they never recovered, surrendering all four goals before the interval to leave their tournament hopes on life support ahead of the return leg.

Barcelona, usually reliant on steady possession and defensive composure, found themselves chasing shadows after the keeper’s misjudgment handed Atlético the initiative. With each subsequent blow landing in rapid succession, the Catalans’ back line appeared shell-shocked, unable to reset or stem the red-and-white tide that swept through their penalty area.

The four-goal deficit represents a commanding advantage for Atlético, who will now travel to Catalonia with one foot firmly in the final. Barcelona, meanwhile, must somehow overturn the scoreline on home soil if they are to keep their domestic cup ambitions alive.