Copa De Rey Semi Final Recap: Fc Barcelona vs Athletic Madrid


With Champions League matches taking a break until March 3rd, most countries are playing their domestic league tournament. 

I mainly watched one game: my favorite team, FC Barcelona, against dark horse Athletico Madrid. It was a thrilling game that kept me on the edge of my seat for good and bad reasons. 

Overall, it was just highs and lows. 

From the first whistle, Barcelona had to overcome adversity since Atlético came out pressing aggressively and stunned Barcelona and its fans with two early goals in the first six minutes. Julián Álvarez opened the scoring within the first minute, capitalizing on an error, and then Antoine Griezmann doubled the lead before Barcelona players could even settle into the game.

Despite the start of this nightmare, Barcelona's fighting spirit came around. Just as we have seen so often, the team refused to lose. Pedri led the comeback, finishing a beautiful move to make it 2-1 in the 19th minute. Two minutes later, 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi scored a header from a corner. 

Barca wasn’t done yet. The momentum shifted, favoring Barca, and in the 41st minute, Iñigo Martínez put us in front with another well-placed header from a corner. From 0-2 down to 3-2 before halftime. 

Barcelona continued to dominate possession and created more chances in the second half. Our fourth goal came in the 74th minute, and it was classic Lewandowski. The Polish striker finished off a stunning solo run and assist from Lamine Yamal, putting us 4-2 up with just over 15 minutes left.

It felt like we had one foot in the final at that moment.

However, like in previous years with Barcelona squads, some setbacks came in the late minutes of the game.

Atletico somehow made their way back, as Marcos Llorente pulled one back in the 84th minute. We were still in control, but in the dying moments of stoppage time, Barca conceded yet again. This time, Alexander Sorloth tapped in from a cross, breaking the hearts of Barca fans. 

The final score was 4-4.  Unfortunately, a match that should have been a famous win ended in disappointment. 


You can watch the highlights below:


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