Barça Stunned by Atleti as Fermin Hits Crossbar

The Copa del Rey semifinal between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona provided thrilling moments as both teams sought to secure a vital victory. Hosted at the Civitas Metropolitano, the match exemplified high stakes, with Atlético looking for redemption against the La Liga leaders, Barça.

Key Match Events

Heading into this matchup, Atlético had shown strong form by eliminating Deportivo La Coruña and Real Betis, notably with a commanding 5-0 victory over the latter. They currently sit third in La Liga, trailing behind Barcelona, who dominate the league standings.

On the other side, Barcelona arrived with confidence after overcoming Racing and Albacete in the Copa del Rey. They were on an impressive run, notching 17 wins in their last 18 competitive matches, and were also performing well in the Champions League, having reached the top eight.

Significant Stats

• Last year’s semifinal ended with Barcelona winning 5-4 on aggregate.
• Atlético Madrid’s key player, Griezmann, contributed decisively in the match.
• Fermin nearly scored for Barcelona but hit the crossbar in the first half.
• The match saw an incredible start, with Atlético going up 2-0 within 14 minutes.

Highlights of the Match

The match began with a moment of drama when Fermin, attempting to put Barcelona ahead, struck the crossbar from a corner taken by Olmo. Almost immediately, Atlético responded. Molina caught Barcelona’s defense off-guard, setting up Alvarez, who had his shot saved by Koundé on the goal line.

However, the first goal came via an unfortunate own goal from Joan Garcia. A backpass from Eric Garcia slipped under the keeper’s foot, allowing Lookman to score, although the ball had already crossed the line. Shortly after, Atlético cemented their lead with a well-placed goal from Griezmann.

Official Lineups

As the teams prepare for the second leg on March 3, this thrilling encounter sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion in the Copa del Rey. With Real Madrid already eliminated, both teams see this as their prime opportunity to advance.