The first leg of the 2025/26 Copa del Rey semi-final featured another key match. Barcelona, playing away, conceded four goals in the first half and suffered a further defeat in the second half when Eric Garcia was shown a red card, ultimately losing 0-4 to Atletico Madrid.

Seven minutes into the game, when Eric Garcia passed the ball back to Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, he couldn't catch it in time, and the ball rolled directly into the goal, giving Atletico Madrid a 1-0 lead.

In the 14th minute, Molina crossed from the right wing into the penalty area, where Griezmann received the pass, took a few steps, and fired a low shot into the net, extending Atletico Madrid's lead over Barcelona to 2-0. In the 20th minute, Barcelona attempted a counter-attack, with Fermín taking a shot, but the ball struck the post.

In the 21st minute, Lookman delivered a cross from the left wing, and Griezmann received the ball and fired a shot, but the angle was too straight and the ball was easily saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Two minutes later, Alvarez received a pass back from his teammate and took a shot, but it was cleared by Koundé.

In the 26th minute, Giuliano Simeone was brought down by Casado while dribbling forward, and the referee showed Casado a yellow card. In the 33rd minute, Alvarez crossed from the penalty area, and Lookman slotted the ball home, making it 3-0 for Atletico Madrid.

In the 39th minute, Yamal played a through ball into the penalty area, where Ferran Torres received the ball and fired a shot, but it was saved by Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso. In first-half stoppage time, Lookman passed the ball back from the penalty area, and Alvarez received it and fired a shot into the net, extending Atletico Madrid's lead to 4-0.

Shortly after the start of the second half, Ferran Torres crossed from the left wing, and Fermín took a shot, but the ball was saved by Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso. In the 52nd minute, Barcelona launched a counter-attack from a set piece. Fermín received the ball and took a long-range shot, which Pau Cuvarsi then slotted home, but after VAR intervention, it was ruled offside, and the goal was disallowed.

In the 77th minute, Barcelona substituted Araujo and Cancelo for Pau Cuvarsi and Balde. In the 83rd minute, Baena was brought down by Eric Garcia as he received a pass from his teammate. After VAR intervention, the referee showed Eric Garcia a red card.

In the second half stoppage time, Olmo took a corner kick, and Ferran Torres' header went wide.

Ultimately, Barcelona suffered a 0-4 defeat away to Atletico Madrid, failing to gain an advantage in advancing to the final.

Image source: Internet