Sorloth’s Last-Minute Goal Seals an Eight-Goal Thriller
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid delivered a breathtaking 4-4 draw in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal at the Estadi Lluis Companys. Alexander Sorloth emerged as Atletico’s hero once again, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer.
Early Shock as Atletico Takes the Lead
Atletico Madrid stunned the home crowd with two rapid-fire goals in the opening six minutes. Julian Alvarez found the net in the first minute, followed by a composed finish from Antoine Griezmann, capitalizing on a defensive error by Jules Kounde.
Barcelona’s Stunning Comeback
Despite the early setback, Barcelona responded with resilience. Jules Kounde made amends by assisting Pedri for a crucial goal in the 20th minute. Just a minute later, Pau Cubarsi scored his first-ever goal for Barcelona with a powerful header from Raphinha’s corner.
Inigo Martinez then put Barcelona ahead in the 41st minute, taking advantage of poor marking on another Raphinha set-piece. Atletico players protested a potential foul by Cubarsi, but the goal stood.
Second Half Drama and Late Equalizer
Barcelona continued their dominance in the second half, and substitute Robert Lewandowski extended their lead in the 74th minute with a simple finish after an exquisite assist from Lamine Yamal.
Atletico Madrid refused to back down. Marcos Llorente pulled one back in the 84th minute, his deflected shot beating Wojciech Szczesny. Then, deep into stoppage time, Sorloth latched onto Samuel Lino’s cross to level the game at 4-4, repeating his late heroics from Atletico’s La Liga win over Barcelona in December.
Match Stats: Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
| Stat | Barcelona | Atletico Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 16 | 10 |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 7 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 3.81 | 1.61 |
| Possession | 68% | 32% |
| Passes | 680 | 323 |
| Corners | 8 | 3 |
| Fouls | 12 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 4 |
| Offsides | 0 | 3 |
Lineups and Tactical Setups
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Szczesny (GK); Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres (Lewandowski).
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Musso (GK); Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Gallagher, De Paul, Barrios, Simeone; Griezmann, Alvarez.
What’s Next?
The second leg of this electrifying semifinal is set for April 2 in Madrid, promising another intense battle. Before that, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will face off in La Liga, adding another chapter to their thrilling rivalry.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Copa del Rey and all the latest Barcelona and Atletico Madrid news!
