Atletico Madrid delivered a stunning first-half performance to thrash La Liga leaders Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
In a repeat of last season’s last-four clash, which Barcelona won on their way to lifting the trophy for a 32nd time, Diego Simeone’s side gained emphatic revenge with four goals before the break in a relentless attacking display.
The tone was set early in bizarre fashion. A misplaced backpass from Eric Garcia to goalkeeper Joan Garcia rolled under the keeper’s foot and into the net, handing Atletico a gift-wrapped opener.
From there, the hosts never looked back. In the 14th minute, the competition’s top scorer this season, Antoine Griezmann, curled home a superb finish against his former club to double the lead.
Atletico attacked with pace and precision, overwhelming a stunned Barcelona side. Although Fermin Lopez struck the woodwork in a rare opportunity for the visitors, the first half belonged entirely to the home team.
The third goal arrived in the 33rd minute after a flowing move. Giuliano Simeone surged down the right and found Julian Alvarez, who clipped a clever ball across to Ademola Lookman. The forward made no mistake, firing in his second goal in as many games for his new club.
Alvarez then capped the first-half demolition in added time, ending a two-month, 11-match goal drought with a thunderous strike from distance that left the goalkeeper helpless.
Barcelona’s miserable evening continued after the interval. Pau Cubarsi thought he had pulled one back after being set up by Robert Lewandowski. However, a record-equalling eight-minute VAR review ruled the goal out for offside. The lengthy check matched the eight-minute stoppage during Bournemouth’s FA Cup fifth-round win over Wolves last season, with players even handed footballs to stay warm during the delay.
Matters worsened further late on when Garcia was sent off following another VAR review after fouling Alex Baena as the substitute raced through on goal.
The heavy defeat leaves Barcelona facing a daunting task in the return leg on 3 March, with Atletico firmly in control of the tie and one step closer to the final.
