Atletico Madrid crushed Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey semifinals at the Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday, February 12, 2026, putting one foot firmly in the final.
Ademola Lookman stole the show, bagging a goal and an assist as Diego Simeone’s men dismantled the Catalans from the opening whistle.
The rout kicked off in the first minute when Barcelona’s Eric Garcia horribly misjudged a clearance, bundling the ball into his own net.
Antoine Griezmann made it 2-0 in the 14th minute, slotting home a cool finish after a pinpoint pass left him one-on-one.
Lookman struck gold in the 33rd minute, pouncing on a clever layoff from Julian Alvarez, fed by Giuliano Simeone, for his second goal in as second games for Atleti.
Right on the stroke of halftime, the Nigerian wizard turned provider, teeing up Alvarez for a rocket from the edge of the box to seal the 4-0 demolition.
Fresh off his heroics at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the 28-year-old has now contributed to four goals in just three Atletico appearances, including a goal and assist on debut against Real Betis in the Copa.
Barcelona barely threatened, with Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo forcing saves from Juan Musso, but Atleti’s rock-solid defense snuffed out corners and set pieces with ease.
Simeone’s side kept the pressure on after the break, as Alvarez and Lookman toyed with a shell-shocked Barca.
Now, Barcelona face an Everest-sized task in the return leg, while Atletico eye a stroll to the final.
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