Barcelona’s Staggering Comeback in the Copa del Rey Semifinal
The Copa del Rey semifinal, first leg, between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on February 25, 2025, was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. The match began with a explosive start, as Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann stunned the home crowd by putting Atletico 2-0 up within the first six minutes. Barcelona, however, did not sit back. Hansi Flick’s team, led by a brilliant performance from their young stars, mounted a remarkable comeback, leveling the score and even taking the lead before a heart-stopping finale by Atletico’s Alexander Sorloth.
Early Devastation: Atletico’s Lightning Start
The opening minutes of the match were nothing short of a nightmare for Barcelona. Just one minute in, Julian Alvarez capitalized on a Barcelona mistake, forcing Wojciech Szczesny to tip a header behind. Griezmann, taking the corner short, set up a perfect cross for Alvarez, who slotted it home at the far post. Barely five minutes later, Griezmann struck again. Jules Kounde’s poor pass allowed Alvarez to break through, and he set up Griezmann to coolly finish past Szczesny. Atletico’s early 2-0 lead seemed to have taken the wind out of Barcelona’s sails.
Barcelona’s Magnificent Response
But Barcelona, known for their resilience, refused to capitulate. The first sign of a comeback came in the 20th minute when Jules Kounde, partly atoning for his earlier mistake, completed a slick give-and-go with Lamine Yamal and cut back for Pedri. The young midfielder, who had timed his run perfectly, slotted home to reduce the deficit. Just a minute later, Pau Cubarsi, playing his first game for Barcelona, headed home from Raphinha’s left-wing corner, marking his maiden goal for the club. The momentum had shifted, and Barcelona continued to press.
Dominance and Controversy
The second half saw Barcelona dominate the proceedings. Substitute Robert Lewandowski, who had come on for Ferran Torres, tapped in his 33rd goal of the season in the 74th minute, completing a mesmerizing team move orchestrated by Lamine Yamal. Barca were on the brink of securing a crucial away goal, and the Estadi Lluis Companys was awash with joy. However, the match took a dramatic turn when Marcos Llorente’s deflected effort in the 84th minute brought Atletico back into contention. The home fans, already on edge, braced for the inevitable.
The Final Act: Sorloth’s Heroics
In the 93rd minute, the unthinkable happened. Alexander Sorloth, who had previously scored an injury-time winner for Atletico on this very ground in a La Liga match last December, latched onto a low ball from substitute Samuel Lino. His composed finish tied the game at 4-4, sending the Atletico supporters into a frenzy. The match, which had seen a total of 16 shots from Barcelona and 10 from Atletico, with Barca boasting 68% possession, ended in a thrilling draw that left both teams with plenty to ponder.
Key Moments and Statistics
The match was a statistical marvel, with Barcelona outshooting Atletico 16 to 10 and maintaining 68% possession. The home team created more chances, with an expected goals (xG) of 3.81 compared to Atletico’s 1.61. Despite these advantages, the game’s outcome hinged on key moments of brilliance and error. Pedri’s goal, Cubarsi’s first for Barcelona, Inigo Martinez’s header, and Sorloth’s equalizer are moments that will be etched in the memory of fans for years to come.
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
The second leg of the semifinal is scheduled for April 2, 2025, at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Both teams will have had their fill of high-adrenaline soccer by then, with a La Liga meeting also planned for March. The narrative around these two giants of Spanish football is poised to reach new heights, and fans can only hope for more of the same electrifying football. For now, the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys will remember the night when Alexander Sorloth once again became Atletico’s hero in injury time.
