Ademola Lookman’s electrifying goal and pinpoint assist became the catalyst for Atletico Madrid’s ruthless dismantling of Barcelona, as the Colchoneros unleashed a first-half barrage to claim a commanding 4-0 victory in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday.
The Nigerian forward, who has quickly become a sensation since his move to Atletico, drilled home the third goal in the 33rd minute after a slick buildup involving Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez, showcasing his clinical finishing in front of a roaring Riyadh Air Metropolitano crowd.
Moments later, Lookman turned provider, flicking a clever first-time pass to Alvarez, who thumped in the fourth in stoppage time to cap a devastating opening period that left the reigning champions reeling.
The nightmare for Barcelona began early, just six minutes in, when a calamitous backpass from Eric Garcia to goalkeeper Joan Garcia slipped over the line for an own goal, despite Garcia’s desperate swipe to clear it—though Lookman was on hand to bundle it in, ensuring the opener stood amid the chaos.
Atletico, under Diego Simeone’s tactical mastery, capitalized relentlessly, with Antoine Griezmann curling in a fine finish in the 14th minute after Nahuel Molina’s assist to double the lead and expose Barcelona’s fragile defense.
Barcelona’s backline, stretched and disorganized, crumbled under the pressure, allowing Atletico to carve open opportunities at will in a half that saw the hosts fire off multiple threats, including Alvarez’s shot hooked off the line by Jules Kounde and Griezmann blazing over.
The second half offered little respite for Hansi Flick’s side, who steadied somewhat but failed to mount a meaningful comeback. Barcelona thought they had clawed one back early on when Pau Cubarsi bundled in from a set-piece, but a marathon VAR review—lasting nearly eight minutes—ruled it out for offside, preserving Atletico’s clean sheet.
Tensions boiled over in the 85th minute when Eric Garcia, already at fault for the opener, received a red card for a rash challenge, reducing Barcelona to 10 men and compounding their woes ahead of the return leg.
Atletico managed the closing stages with composure, threatening to extend the margin further but settling for the four-goal cushion. Post-match reactions highlighted the shockwave of the result, with Simeone praising his team’s belief despite the odds. “I’m not a wizard but I did believe that the team could play like this,” the Atletico boss said, adding that the performance “will remain in the memory however the tie ends.”
He emphasized caution, noting the job is far from done. On the other side, Flick acknowledged the humbling defeat as a potential turning point. Vowing to fight back, he described it as a “great lesson” that might prove helpful, outlining a bold plan for the second leg: “2-0 in each half.”
As of February 13, 2026, no major developments have emerged from the fallout, with both camps focusing on recovery and preparation for the return fixture on March 3 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barcelona, sitting atop La Liga, now face an enormous uphill battle to salvage their title defense, while Atletico edge closer to their first Copa final in over a decade. Lookman’s heroics, marking his second goal in as many games for his new club and underscoring his growing influence, have positioned Simeone’s men firmly on course for Seville’s showpiece in April.
